Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/38

 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

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