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Show I An Invention That Doubles a Bicycle's Speed "" fHE torpedo bicycle is a remark-I remark-I nble but simple French inven-tion inven-tion that promises to double the speed of the ordinary bicycle. TIs machine is the invention of M. Eti-enne Eti-enne Bunuu-Varllla. who is a relatlre of the noted M. Bunau-Varllln. the French financier who sold the rights to the old French Panaran Canal to the United States Government. The fcorjedo bicycle is an ordinary bicycle with a peculiarly constructed windshield wind-shield that, removes nil nir pressure and friction from the body of the rider. The wind shield is made of aluminum. This Increases the rider's power enormouslj'. The shield Is constructed somewhat like a torpedo, but with the broad end in front and the pointed part behind. be-hind. Large celluloid windows enable en-able the ritter to see the road in front of him. J ' j QT'' ; How the Bicycle Kider Sits Inside the Torpedo. The Side Flap Shuta H4 TBhl, Enclosing Him in the Egg-Shaped Body. Using this machine the French runner Berthet. who is not supposed to be in the same class as first class bicycle riders, easily beat the records of the best riders. Tt is stated by the French authorities that he easily beat the world's record for one kilometer, kilo-meter, or 3.280 feet, by eight seconds. The record for this distanco Is en Id to be flfty-fivo seconds. If the new machine can make such an enormous reduction as eight seconds in fifty-five fifty-five when used by a comparatively slow rider, It is expected that a rider like Walthour would be able to cut the record nearly in half. Berthet made another remarknble record with the torpedo bicycle. Hiding Hid-ing very easily the covered n distance of five kilometers, or about three and three-quarter miles, In five minutes and forty-seven seconds at the Palnce of Sports In Paris, beating the world's record by one minute and four seconds. sec-onds. It is suggested that this machine will make a very pleasant and economical eco-nomical substitute for the motorcycle. It enables a rider to travel as fast as nnyhody can wish to go and at the same time protect himself from the wind und dust The construction of the torpedo-like windshield is based upon very carefully care-fully studied scientific principles. A superficial observer might think that a shield pointed in front and broader behind would cut through the air faster, but as a matter of fact this would hinder the progress of the machine by creating air friction fric-tion at the rear. The filing down of the aluminum envelope to a point has a most important effect In reducing air resistance. The same principle has been followed to some extent in constructing con-structing boats, and even passenger cars. Copyright, j 914, |