PROCEEDINGS OP REGENTS. 105 



new field to science, and which has led us to modify profoundly our 

 conceptions regarding the constitution of matter. 



Another new field has been revealed to us through the development 

 of wireless telegraphy and telephony; and we now utilize the vibra- 

 tions of the etherial medium of space for the transmission of thought. 



Then again we may note the most revolutionary changes going on 

 before our eyes relating to methods of transportation. 



The appearance of the hydroplane boat probably foreshadows a 

 revolution in marine architecture and propulsion. On land we see 

 motor cycles, automobiles, and electric cars displacing the horse. 

 Petroleum and electricity have become powerful rivals of steam, and 

 we seem to be on the eve of a revolution in our methods of railroad 

 transportation, through the application of the gyroscope to a monorail 

 system. And now aerial transport has come, dispensing with rails 

 and roads altogether. The air itself has become a highway, and 

 dirigible balloons and flying machines are now realities. 



How well the predictions of Langley have been fulfilled. We now 

 recognize that he was right when he said a few years ago (1897) that — 



The world indeed will be supine if it does not realize that a new possibility has come 

 to it and that the great universal highway overhead is now soon to be opened . 



It has been opened, and who can foretell the consequences to man * 

 One thing is certain: That the physical obstacles to travel have 

 been overcome, and that there is no place on the surface of the globe 

 that is inaccessible to civilized man, through the air. 



Does this not point to the spread of civilization all over the world 

 and the bringing of light to the dark continents of the earth ? 



THE PIONEERS OF AERIAL FLIGHT. 



Who are responsible for the great developments in aerodromics of 

 the last few years ? Not simply the men of the present, but also the 

 men of the past. 



To one man especially is honor due: Our own Dr. S. P. Langley, late 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. When we trace backward 

 the course of history we come unfailingly to him as the great pioneer 

 of aerial flight. 



We have honored his name by the establishment of the Langley 

 medal; and it may not be out of place on this, the first occasion for 

 the presentation of the medal, to say a few words concerning Langley's 

 work. 



langley's work. 



Langley devoted his attention to aerodromics at a time when the 

 idea of a flying machine was a subject for ridicule and scorn. It was 

 as much as a man's reputation was worth to be known to be at work 

 upon the subject. He bravely faced the issue, and gave to the 

 world his celebrated memoir entitled " Experiments in Aerodynamics." 



