In the later part of autumn last year, I was invited by your President, Colonel the Master of Sempill, to read a paper about the work of the “ Deutsche Versuchsanstalt fur Luftfahrt ”( i.e. “ German Aeronautical Research Institute ” ) . The Royal Aeronautical Society can look back to a long and successful development. Your Society has always aimed at the promoting of the technical work of your country and at the fostering of close scientific relations between air–minded countries. It is therefore a great honour for me to lecture before your Society.

I regard co–operation in discussing areonautical matters between the various countries as very necessary. Representatives of aeronautical science have, during the past year, held international congresses at Stockholm, in the Hague and finally in Paris. Common problems were treated at these congresses by the representatives. New personal relations were formed during the meetings held there.

An invitation to address the Royal Aeronautical Society, the first Society of its kind ever founded, is indeed a signal honour and not without misgivings to a humble visitor who, in the land of Elizabethan English, finds himself embarrassed for words adequate to express his appreciation. The scientific contribution of the Society to the advancement of aeronautics and the meritorious achievements of its members are well known in the United States.

A sort of unselfish and patient willingness, which encourages men to depart from beaten paths and invade unknown realms to bring forth something new and beneficial to society, is indispensable to any new enterprise, and most characteristic of those who are pioneers in airship development. Certainly none so far have garnered any substantial profits.