The Mercury reports optimistically on a patent for an aerial steam carriage (named ‘Ariel‘), 60 years before the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
THE AERIAL STEAM CARRIAGE. – When it was announced some time ago, by the ordinary monthly lists of patents granted, that Mr. Henson had invented a machine capable of conveying dispatches and passengers through the air, the general impression was that some moody and enthusiastic projector was about to exhibit the produce of his day-dreams. Our readers may, therefore, be somewhat surprised to learn that this is in truth no visionary scheme, but a design of very scientific conception, carefully and perseveringly wrought out. It would perhaps be too much to affirm (what yet we cannot deny) that the machine in its present state will certainly succeed ; but the least which can be said is, that the inventor has most skilfully removed the difficulties which have hitherto debarred us the possession of the long-coveted faculty of flight, and has made its eventual, perhaps early, attainment a matter of little less than certain. This device would not have succeeded if the inventor had not effected an extraordinary reduction in the weight of his steam-engine. Our engineering readers will be somewhat surprised to learn that the engine of 20 horses’ power now in preparation for the aërial carriage weighs with its condenser and requisite water but 600lbs. To the united effect of these different branches of this important invention must we attribute our present prospect of making our paths in the air. The area of the sustaining surface will be, we understand, not less than 4500 square feet ; the weight to be sustained, including the carriage and its total burden, is estimated at 3000lbs. The load is said to be considerably less per square foot than that of many birds. It may assist the conceptions of our non-mechanical readers to add that the general appearance of the machine is that of a gigantic bird with stationary wings ; that the mechanical principles concerned in its support are strongly exemplified in the case of a kite ; and that its progress is maintained by an application of power like that which propels a steam-boat. In the operations of nature, particularly in the flight of birds, will be found many striking illustrations of the principles on which the inventor has proceeded. – Whatever may be the immediate issue of the present attempt, we think it is impossible not to award to the inventor the highest credit due to the removal of the great difficulties which have hitherto defeated all similar inventions ; nor do we doubt that, in following out the path he has opened, complete success will eventually be obtained : whether that success will be, as we wish, early and entire, or whether it will be delayed and gradual, depends on the facts as to oblique pneumatic resistance, which have yet to be ascertained. It is, however, high time to begin to consider in the spirit of careful inquiry and cheerful hope what will be the changes, commercial, social, and political, which the possession of this new-born power will necessarily bring about. – Times.“
The Stamford Mercury, April 7th, 1843.