Man the Flyer

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 08, 8 October 1908, Page 9

Man the Flyer

Flying machines and airships arc now (in both a literal , and figurative sense) very much 'in the air.' The big airships of the Zeppelin type suggest uneasy possibilities in connection with the warfare of the future, especially if Colonel Unge's new air torpedo justifies in cny reasonable measure the hopes that are placed in it. In the matter of rival air-navies, a new meaning would be given to the anxious query of the Scottish lassie :—: — ' Gin a body meet a body Flyin' through the air, . Gin a body hit a body, Will it fly? and where? •

The future seems, in the bulk of scientific opinion, to lie with ths aeroplane— the ' heavier-than-air, ' or true flying machine. And this consummation has been brought about chiefly by the phenomenal success that has been achieved by the American brothers Wright. The description of their flights, "" as witnesseJ by the representatives of the "Autocar, the Motor, and othermotoring journals, makes wonderful reading, and we are not surprised to learn, by a recent cable message, that the Weiller Syndicate has so far considered their aeroplane, satisfactory that they have purchased the French rights and have proceeded to the manufacture of fifty of .them. The story of Daedalus is, after all, not altogether a myth. But it has taken long ages, and many a death and broken bone, before "roan could perform the feats of soaring, flying, turning, swooping, rising, and describing figure Bs with which the Wrights have lately been amazing onlookers in America jind France.