164 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1918. 



a small volume of fuel and other supplies (such as water). The 

 internal-combustion engine, then coming into notice, was obviously 

 the most promising form, but as he was not familiar with this appa- 

 ratus, he deemed it proper to delay definite action until a satisfactory 

 engine could be secured. After much searching, a contract was 

 placed on December 28, 1898, for a 12 horsepower engine to weigh 

 not more than 100 pounds, and the construction of an aerodrome 

 for use with this engine was at once begun. Notwithstanding the 

 amount of research that had been given to the mathematics and 

 physics of flight to heavier-than-air machines, it was felt that the 

 new problem required much more investigation and research, and 

 of course, a new element entered into it, namely that of preventing 

 the injury or death of the operator. 



The great complexity of the problem induced Langley to seek the 

 services of a mechanical engineer, and on the recommendation of 

 Professor Thurston, Mr. Charles M. Manly was appointed, and 

 proved to be a most efficient and faithful worker. It was hoped that 

 the engine could be obtained and the frame-work of the new aero- 

 drome completed by the early part of 1899, but this was not to be. 

 The engine builder though he exerted himself to the utmost and, 

 indeed, lost much money in his effort, was not able to produce an 

 engine which would give anything like the desired horsepower within 

 the allowable weight. Another series of disheartening failures and 

 disasters followed. As a preliminary, an aerodrome one-quarter size 

 of the proposed man-carrying one was constructed and trial, flights 

 made with success, but this small machine could not, of course, carry 

 an operator. In addition to the problem of the construction of the 

 large machine, a new apparatus for launching was devised and a 

 new location, about 40 miles below Washington on the Potomac was 

 selected. It became necessary here to have a tug-boat and housing 

 for the workmen, who could not come and go from Washington every 

 clay. 



Nowadays, when aeroplanes are among familiar objects and almost 

 everyone has seen them start and land, it seems that a serious mistake 

 was made in the elaborate launching apparatus, and in the principle 

 of launching over water, but it is easy to be wise after the event, 

 and we must always keep in mind that Langley was working in a 

 field in which there was no definite guidance, save his own studies 

 and experiments. 



The engine builder having finally given up the problem, efforts 

 were made to get some European builder to manufacture the appa- 

 ratus, Europe being, it was thought at that time, ahead of America 

 in the application of the internal combustion motor. No one could 

 be found willing to undertake the contract. Under these circum- 

 stances, Mr. Manly undertook the work. He obtained the parts of 



