MIRACLES OF SCIENCE 



best efforts of the operator unaided by the gyroscope, 

 yet became instantly steady when the button was 

 pressed that put the gyroscopic stabilizer in connec- 

 tion with the balancing wings. 



It appears, then, that the gyroscope stabilizer for 

 the aeroplane has a field of operation of vast impor- 

 tance. Seemingly the apparatus should give an added 

 increment of safety to the flying machine under all 

 conditions. It will presumably enable the aviator to 

 rest in the air without jeopardy; and the relief from 

 the incessant strain of perpetual balancing should 

 make long voyages feasible for aviators who have 

 hitherto lacked endurance for such feats. With the 

 aid of the stabilizer it should also be possible for a 

 single airman to take photographs or make maps of 

 the countries over which he is flying, or on occasion 

 to operate the wireless apparatus, sending or receiv- 

 ing messages, or to manipulate a bomb-thrower or a 

 machine-gun in case of a warlike expedition. 



In a word, the successful utilization of the gyro- 

 scopic principle in its application to the flying ma- 

 chine seems likely to prove the most important con- 

 tribution that has been made to the art of aviation 

 since the memorable day in December, 1903, when 

 the Wright brothers first demonstrated the feasibil- 

 ity of human flight. 



