1G2 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1918. 



reliance of the inventor, unci of his possessing to a high degree that 

 characteristic of genius, "the infinite capacity of taking trouble." 



After succeeding in the construction of a power-driven flying ma- 

 chine, two problems were presented in connection with open-air 

 trials; a suitable locality and a method of launching. It was decided 

 that it would be safest to launch the machine over water, as in case 

 of a fall it would be not seriously damaged and be readily recovered. 

 It was, of course, also advisable that the location should not be far 

 from Washington, at which place the construction was being carried 

 on, and should not be in a populated district. The spot chosen was 

 a small island in the Potomac River, about 30 miles below 

 Washington. 



For launching the machine a sort of house boat was built by put- 

 ting a frame room on a scow, and on the roof of this a horizontal 

 track with releasing apparatus. The room served for storing the 

 machine and was fitted with apparatus for repair work. 



In the later part of 1893 an aerodrome, designated as No. 4, was 

 taken to the trial ground, but though eight trips were made for trials, 

 none was successful, and the year closed without any demonstration 

 of the capacity of the machine. The year 1894 was also passed with- 

 out any successful flight, although a few short movements had been 

 secured, and the machine seemed to be less erratic and the power was 

 shown to be sufficient for the work. Little better results were ob- 

 tained during 1895, but much information as to the defects of con- 

 struction were obtained, so that with the opening of the following 

 year this problem was much nearer solution, in fact, was solved. 



In the early part of 1896 two aerodromes, 5 and 6, were available, 

 and on May G of that year, Langley with A. Graham Bell and several 

 assistants were at the trial ground. The wind was so high during 

 the morning that no attempt at flight was made, but at 1 p. m. it had 

 become much less active, and at 1.10, aerodrome No. G was launched, 

 but owing to some entanglement with the launching apparatus, it 

 settled directly into the water. Aerodrome 5 was then tried. At 

 3.05 it was launched with a steam pressure of 150 pounds, and started 

 directly into the gentle breeze that was blowing. 



The height of the launching track above the water was about 20 

 feet ; the machine first descended about 3 feet, but immediately began 

 to rise until the midrib made an angle of about 10° with the hori- 

 -.ontal. and maintained this mostly through the entire flight. After 

 leaving the boat, it circled to the right and moved with great steadi- 

 ness, making a spiral path of two complete turns and part of a third. 

 During the first two turns the apparatus was constantly ascending, 

 and at the end of the second turn had reached a height esti- 

 mated at over 75 feet. The power then began to give out and the 

 machine slowly descended, striking the water in approximation to a 



