All About Inventions and Discoveries
The Romance of modern scientific and mechanical Achievements

Dawn of Aerial Navigation 255 Some machines fulfilled their creators’ intentions, and rose gracefully from the water to hold themselves in the air while the boat was travelling above a cer- tain speed. Others either declined to slide into the air, while still more, after getting aloft, behaved in the most eccentric manner, dipping and pitching like a small boat at sea in a hurricane. At times they made a decisive dive towards the water, and in more than one instance further trials were summarily stopped by the machine tumbling into the river with its wings broken. The inventors, proud of their creations, invariably handled their machines, the result being that they were often the victims of impromptu baths ; while in one or two instances, owing to becoming entangled in the wreckage, they only escaped drowning by inches. Gliding became an exciting and popular sport, not only in France, but in America as well. In the latter country some sensational performances were recorded, the new idea appealing especially to those who specialise in feats of daring. Among these was J. M. Maloney, who brought the glider contrived by Professor J. J. Montgomery into public prominence. Maloney was a daring parachutist, and upon the appearance of the Montgomery glider he arranged to demonstrate its capabilities in a thrilling manner. The glider was slung from a hot-air balloon in which the parachutist ascended, and upon reaching the desired height, Maloney, seated in the glider, would cut himself loose and return to earth in a graceful spiral. The altitudes were gradually increased as Maloney became more and more expert in his handling of the