Several Genius has now made it possible for a bicyclist to ride under water. We have had plans for wheelmen to ride to and from the clouds and to ride underground in cycle tunnels.
    There have been bicycle railways and bicycle boats, but Reuben H. Plass of 508 Lafayette avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y., an inventor, is constructing a machine which makes submarine wheeling an accomplished fact. The Practicability of the invention has been demonstrated by means of a model, and the workings of this model have been such as to attract the admiration and indorsement of every practical cyclist who has seen it. Not only do the cyclists praise it, but the submarine divers believe it is destined to be of the greatest use to them.
    All men of brains agree that this is an age of progress and that the bicycle is one of the most practical instruments of advancement. This invention proves the truth of the latter belief, and it goes without saying that the former is correct. To those who are familiar with what is known as deep-sea diving the utility of the submarine bicycle is plainly apparent. Under the present circumstances it is necessary for the diver to sink directly to the bottom before he can begin operations. With the new contrivance he can pedal about at any desired distance above the bottom and take a birdseye view as it were of the scene of operation. Thus it will be seen that the submarine bicycle, from a business standpoint, is a very excellent thing indeed.
    Entirely unlike anything ever before produced in the bicycle line this machine is still in all its essential features a bicycle, with wheels, gearing, sprocket wheel and all complete. It is intended solely for submarine use. It is painted with a water-proof composition which prevents rust.
    The machine itself consists of the regulation shaped bicycle frame, two wheels, the usual running gear, with some additions, and two cylinders. These cylinders are really the secret of the whole machine and its ability to travel below the ocean. They are about eight feet long and nine inches in diameter through the center. Their construction is a bit peculiar in that while they are constructed of copper they are balanced with several hundreds of pounds of lead fastened to the under side. This is done so that when beneath the surface the cylindere will maintain their proper position. The cylinders are filled with air and serve to keep the submarine bicycle at the desired depth.
    It is by means of these same cylinders that the machine is raised or lowered at the will of the rider. On the forward side of each cylinder is an automatic valve which is controlled by the rider by means of a wire running from the valve to the handle bar of the machine. This valve opens into two narrow compartments running the length of the cylinder and which are kept closed by the outside pressure of the water.
    When it is desired to send the machine to any depth the rider pulls the wire connecting with the valve, and the inrushing water causes the machine to gradually sink below the surface. When the desired depth has been reached the wire is released, the valve closes and the machine remains stationary, not between heaven and earth, but between the surface and the bottom of the ocean.
    Connecting the two cylinders are two hollow metal rods which serve the double purpose of connecting the air-filled cylinders and acting as axles for the two wheels of the bicycle. The rims of the wheels project above and below the cylinders. These wheels have the customary spokes, interwoven as usual, but the rim is entirely different from that of the land machine.
    In place of big pneumatic tires the outside of the rims of these wheels are fitted with cogs. These cogs fit into the cogs of two much smaller wheels which work on a rod running close beside the wheels, on the opposite side from the running-gear. These cog-wheels are cone-shaped and firmly fixed to the rod, at the rear end of which is a propeller.
    The pedals of the submarine bicycle are fixed in exactly the same manner as an ordinary machine, the only unusual appearance being that instead of one machine there are two—one connecting with the front and the other with the rear wheel. In order to operate these two chains the sprocket wheel is double.
    As the pedals are worked by the rider both wheels revolve at the same time, and, working upon the small, cone-shaped cog-wheels on the bar, cause the propeller to revolve, and so give motion to this most unique of all vehicles.
    The rider sits somewhat higher on the submarine bicycle than on the ordinary machine, and the external appearance of the submarine rider is rather uncanny. As riding under water in an ordinary bicycle suit might be somewhat uncomfortable, a light form of diving suit, helmet and all, has been devised for the use of the submarine rider. The helmet is somewhat lighter than that used by the professional diver, but the arrangement is exactly the same. The rest of the suit is in no way different.
    Directly beneath the seat of the submarince bicycle is an oblong metal box or chest which is divided into two equal parts. The larger division is used for the storage of compressed air, while in the lesser division is a valve chest. A small driving-rod copnects with the rear wheel of the machine, and when the rider does not care to operate the submarine bicycle in the usual manner by means of the pedals the pressure of a spring set in the forkhandle opens a valve in the compressed-air chamber and the wheels are set in motion.
    Fixed in the forward part of the machine is an air gauge which has two dials, one indicating the amount of air in the cylinders and the other the pressure of the compressed air in the chest beneath the seat.
    The method of steering the submarine bicycle is rather odd. There is no rudder nor any provision for one, but when beneath the surface the machine is so evenly balanced that the leaning of the rider to one side or the other causes it to change its plane, and consequently its course.
    When it is desires to rise to the surface water is forced from the chambers within the cylinders and the submarine bicycle and its rider slowly rises to the domain of light and air. It is surely a novel way to seek pleasure in a bicycle beneath the water’s surface, but that it can be a genuine pleasure will become plain to any one who will take sufficient time to give the matter a little study. For instance, what would be more pleasant on a hot summer day than to go down to some resort on a submarine bicycle at whatever distance from the surface the rider may desire. Of course, there will be some difficulty at first steering a proper course, but genius always solves such problems as that, whether on land or water. It would only be a question of a short time until charts of the underwater route to adjacent summer resorts would be on sale.
    Again, how pleasant it would be construct a sextuplet submarine bicycle, equip it with a good-sized storage battery, properly protected, and thus have an ample source for a brilliant electric light, that would enable three couples to go bike-riding under water, instead of taking moonlight rides on the surface. The electric light would also guard against any collision that might otherwise take place. The accompanying illustration shows the bicycle just as it will appear when ridden by is submarine diver. The illustration also shows how easy it will be with the new machine for a diver to circulate about a wreck and ascertain its exact position without having to go crawling about slimy decks and run the risk of breaking his air-tube by getting it twisted with the tangled rigging. It is a natural supposition that if society takes to the sub-marine bicycle there will be new styles in diving armor, and that this will furnish a new line of business for the surveyors who cater to the devotees of fashion.
    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.”

From—The San Francisco Call. (San Francisco [Calif.]), 22 Nov. 1896. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.