Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 01.djvu/68

AERONAUTICS turns a minute. A triangular sail at the end served as a rudder. The first trip had only a relative success, as the strong wind was inimical to the experiment, but Giffard demonstrated that he could steer his craft readily and attain a speed of from six to ten feet a second. He had solved the problem of directed and propelled aeronautical voyaging. His work was greatly improved on by a compatriot, Renard. In 1884 he built the airship "La France," which was a pronounced success. His motive power was electricity, furnished by a motor that weighed 220 pounds and had 9 horse power. In 1898 Santos-Dumont, a resident of Paris, though of Brazilian birth, made notable advances in the development of the dirigible and created a sensation a little later by the ease and accuracy with which he circled the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In Germany, the famous aircraft that took its name from its indefatigable inventor. Count Zeppelin, was pushed to completion in 1900, but it was not until 1910 that the first great passenger Zeppelin made its initial trip over Lake Constance and made aerial traveling a matter of ease and luxury and measurably of safety. Scientific study of temperatures at high altitudes has been facilitated.