24 



exlreme simplicity and cheapness of 

 ihe lialloon will keep it popular for many 

 days to come. 



How Balloons Are Made 

 It is a cpmparatively simple matter to 

 make a balloon. All one needs is a 

 large quantity of thin cottoncloth, some 

 linseed oil, a light, wide-mesh "fish-net- 

 ting," a small 

 amount of 

 medium -gage 

 rope and a big 

 willow basket. 

 The valve on 

 top of the gas- 



Popiilar Science Monildy 



bag is essentially only a small, close- 

 fitting circular wooden door which any 

 experienced cabinet-maker could con- 

 struct. Other accessories are of equal 

 simplicity. 



If it were not for its prohibitive size 

 and the cost of the material a balloon 

 could easily be made by a handy 

 amateur. Where there is natural gas 



light enough for 

 ntlating, as in 

 Kansas, a bal- 

 loon ascension 

 can be carried 

 out in a short 

 time. The 



WlNG£0 mofii 

 OF VALVe 



I'AtVE rRAH! 



FIG 2 



FIG 3 



The "wings" are rubber-lined The circular ring with holes Two hanging "wings" form 

 and gas-tight arranged for pins the circular wooden door 



STRAP S. BUCKLE FOR FA5T€f^tNC 

 S£AM Of NET 



RI/8BER IIH£0 



wtNCeo-DOofii 



The seam is buckled to the margin 



by a series of short straps which 



hold it securely in position 



The disconnected 

 parts of the top- 

 valve, showing 

 arrangement 



*=P 



FIG 7 



•Jniu. 



The top-valve equipment closed in its 

 correct position 



How the host is fastened 

 to the gas main 



