This tension sufficed to produce a spark 4 inches in
length. It is not surprising that the establishment of the
electric equilibrium by contact with the trees, which produced
such a spark should fire the hydrogen inflation charge. In fact
the heat generated was so intense that the aluminium metallic
framework was fused. The measurements which were made proved
that the gas was consumed within 15 seconds and the envelope
destroyed within 20 seconds.
As a result of this disaster endeavours were made to persuade
Count Zeppelin to abandon the use of aluminium for the framework
of his balloon but they were fruitless, a result no doubt due to
the fact that the inventor of the airship of this name has but a
superficial knowledge of the various sciences which bear upon
aeronautics, and fully illustrates the truth of the old adage
that "a little learning is a dangerous thing." Count Zeppelin
continues to work upon his original lines, but the danger of his
system of construction was not lost upon another German
investigator, Professor Schiitte, who forthwith embarked upon the
construction of another rigid system, similar to that of
Zeppelin, at Lanz.
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