Our Air Force; The Keystone of National Defense

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ...at the present time, the United States has a monopoly on all helium in the world. It is found in small quantities in other places, but not to a sufficient extent to make it practicable at this time for production in great quantities for airships. The method by which this gas is obtained is to subject the natural gas to high pressure and low temperature which, when it reaches a certain point, solidifies the ordinary natural, or coal gas as it is called, leaving the helium still free. It is then drawn off and put into tubes. This gas may be mixed with about eighteen per cent of hydrogen and still retain its non-inflammable qualities. The United States Government is now experimenting very successfully with the production of this gas, and some civilian companies are projecting its extraction on a commercial basis, being convinced that airship communication is only a short way off. While helium will be of tremendous advantage for airships in case of war, it is interesting to note that, during the War, not one single instance occurred of a Zeppelin being burned except from hostile attack. In other words, the ship, in so far as its own self is concerned, is perfectly safe against fire, and, of course, as long as we use gasoline for fuel for the engines, an inflammable element remains which will cause fire irrespective of what lifting gas is used in the envelope. As helium has never been tried on a practical basis we do not yet know just what its effect will be. A certain amount of helium has been procured and put into tubes, and was just being sent abroad for use in the captive balloons when the war in Europe ceased. That airships will be a potent factor in all communications in a comparatively few years, there can be no doubt. As the great...