RECENT PROGRESS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION. 307 



At best, however, the balloon as a means of locomotion is of more 

 interest from a scientific than commercial standpoint. Increasing ex- 

 perience will determine the best disposition to be made in relation to 

 a variety of points that are still open to discussion, such as the best 

 methods of reducing resistances and increasing the efficiency of the 

 motor. On the basis of the success already attained, calculations have 

 been made which indicate that it may be quite possible in the near 

 future to construct larger balloons that will travel in calm air at the 

 rate of twenty-five or thirty miles an hour. Such air-ships, capable of 

 ready direction at safe elevations, may serve important purposes in 

 time of war. But for the public their use must long continue to be 

 very limited. The enormous expense attendant upon the construction 

 and manipulation of an aerostat capable of carrying even so few as 

 a score of persons forbids competition with railroads and steamships. 

 The high-tension battery, which is at present the most available source 

 of energy to give motive power, has an effective life of only a few 

 hours ; and, even during this time, the cost of zinc and acid is far in 

 excess of that of coal and water. For special purposes, where surface- 

 locomotion is impossible, and expenses can be sustained by great cor- 

 porations or very wealthy individuals, the "dirigeable" balloon may, 

 perhaps, win for itself an important place. The history of the appli- 

 cation of science to art, especially during the last half -century, sug- 

 gests caution in making sweeping denials, merely because our present 

 knowledge does not enable us to grasp all the details of future develop- 

 ment. Dr. Lardner's assertion, that no steamship would ever cross the 

 Atlantic, may well remain fresh in our minds. The present compe- 

 tition between electricity and coal-gas as illuminating agents could 

 scarcely have been foreseen in the days when coal-gas was itself com- 

 paratively a novelty. If we continue, as is probable, to attain cheaper 

 methods of generating electricity, the balloon may grow in favor as 

 the electric light has done, but without causing -the least commotion 

 in the market for railroad stocks. 



But, for the development of aeronautics as an art, we must continue 

 to look to France, its earliest home. If stock companies are formed 

 for the manufacture of air-ships, it must be first among those to whom 

 the recent successes have already become a source of pride. Even as 

 toys and as advertising media, balloons have always been more popu- 

 lar in France than elsewhere. The city of Paris has for years past 

 included one or more large establishments devoted exclusively to the 

 manufacture of them. Should "dirigeable" balloons ever become of 

 commercial importance, enterprising Americans will be quick to imi- 

 tate their French neighbors, and put upon our market all that the pub- 

 lic may demand. The day is perhaps not far distant when at least a 

 favored few in our own country may enjoy the luxury of summer 

 afternoon excursions through the air, free from dust and cinders, and 

 occasionally even vying with the birds in speed. 



