from the actual fact, instead of the schoolroom map Photo 
graphy must not fall behind its opportunities. The telephoto 
graphic lens has solved the ancient problem concerning Mahomet 
and the mountain 
"But this is set down as an aerial flight in more than one 
sense of the phrase. The sober facts are sufficiently inspiring. 
At the St. Louis Exposition, the airship will take its place 
with the turbine and trolley car as a practical factor among 
modern methods.of transportation. Along the Potomac, Langley 
is busy with his gigantic airplanes, undismayed by failure, 
and confident tomorrow will uncover the long-sought secret of 
mechanical flight The conquest of the air is well begun, 
28 
and photography should play its part in advance " 
ROCKET PHOTOGRAPHY 
Rocket reconnaissance, contrary to popular belief, is not new. 
On July 25, 1891, a patent was granted to Mr. Edmund Edwards for Mr. 
Ludwig Rahrmann, Germany, for a "New or Improved Apparatus for Obtain 
ing Bird's Eye Photographic Views" (Figure 21). The patent description 
reads : 
"The present invention is applicable more especially to military 
operations by taking photographic bird's-eye views of fortifi 
cations or other positions occupied by an enemy from a distant 
41