Notes and Comments.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 177, 18 July 1901, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

Mr Carl Myers, of New York State, says the Press, THE claims to have solved -IKY CYCLE, the greatest problem of serial n negation, how to travel from one place to another and return without being dependent upon the wind, as in the ordinary balloon. (Before evolving his aerostat, Mr Myers had spent many years experimenting at his place, “ Balloon Farm,” among the Adirondack Mountains. He made a nnmber of rifle bullets, and after discharging them discovered that the shape most suiiable fob overcoming the resistance of the air was pointed ,at both ends.

Hia eky cycle, accordingly, is rounded, with sharp conkal points at the ends, so (hat when travelling the point forces its way forward, and there is very little atmospheric disturbance. Below the balloon is a gun-wale shaped contrivance to which is attached two sets of cranks, one moved by the feet and the other hy the hands. The sky-cyclist sits astride the saddle as on a bicycle, and moves the pedals with feet and bands, or both. The upward, downward, and side movements are controlled by the aeroplanes, remarkably simple inf their working. ThO machines very cheap, costing onl| It can be worked by a *;asiliiie |molor instead of the lliutim orascle, and in that case |its dost amounts to £7O. This \jycle was first exhibited at the St. Louis Exposition. It is said to travel in any direction at the operator’s pleasure, either forward or backwards, without any regard to the weather, and thus is as great an advance on the ordinary helpless sort of balloon which is always at the mercy of winds and storms, as the steamer was on the sailing vessel. The inventor alleges that he has cycled on it over thirteen of the United Stales, and though he has ascended to the height of two and a quarter miles, and once reached a veroefty of twenty-three miles an hour, he has never had the 'slightest accident. When this aerostat once becomes the rage, the modern parents’ response- ■ hility to the rising generation will include not only the indispensable “ bike” but also a “ skyke.”