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U N N A T U R A L   H I S T O R Y   M U S E U M

“  S T E A M P U N K   P R O T O T Y P E S  
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    Inventor Plass is enthusiastic over this, the latest child of his brain. “Why,” said he, “it is a wonder to me that no one ever thought of this machine before. You see, if a bicycle can go on top of the water what is there to prevent the construction of one that can be ridden under water. The principle is just the same as that of the boat. We have boats that ride on top of the water, and the United States Government has just built a boat that will travel about underneath the surface. It was the knowledge of all these plans that set me to thinking about the idea which has led to the invention of the submarine bicycle.
    “While I thought first of the machine being of great use to the diver it has seemed to me, that there was no reason why it should not be popular with people generally.
    I don’t have any idea that it will be necessary for the rider of this wheel to wear heavy armor like the diver does. I know, of course, that it takes something pretty strong to resist the water, but it is my observation that these days, when anything new is wanted, somebody always manages to get it up. So I put this submarine bicycle into practical shape. Of course I’m proud of it, but I truly believe that it is going to become a popular and everyday method of amusement.
    “I’m hurrying the construction as rapidly as possible, but have been put to unavoidable delay by the difficulty of securing some parts. They are not made by the regular bicycle manufacturers, so I have had to have them built to order. In a few weeks I hope to have the submarine bicycle ready for a test. Clad in a flannel-lined diving-suit the cold will not be felt.”
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From—The San Francisco Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]), 22 Nov. 1896. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
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