Proof that we Live Inside of the Globe

Proof that we Live Inside of the Globe

Koreshans’ Startling Claim That Their Theory Is Demonstrated by Experiments and Surveys — Scientific Revolution to Follow.

from Chicago Sunday Times-Herald, July 25, 1897

Advocates of the theory that we are living on the inside of a hollow shell 8,000 miles in diameter, instead of on the outside of a convex globe now claim to be able to satisfy all who have asked for proof of the correctness of the theory. This strange astronomical system known as the Koreshan astronomy or the cellular cosmogony was originated and founded by Dr. Cyrus R. Teed of Chicago, and during the past twenty-five years has succeeded in making a large number of converts to the belief that all the popular theories concerning the character of the universe are fallacious, resulting from the failure to properly interpret observations of the most common phenomena of the heavens and the scope of our horizon. In the promulgation of the Koreshan system the discussion of the shape of the earth is revived: it is the most radical departure from the usual theories known to the world today – it is a complete antithesis. Consequently the methods pursued in the new cosmogony and the conclusions reached therefrom are decidedly revolutionary.

With the entire system reduced to a pivotal and specific test, and with the plans for making that test, a company of experimenters were sent on an expedition last December to Naples, Fla. where there is a straight coast for a number of miles, to practically apply the principles of the newly discovered means of testing the earth’s contour. The work of the experimenting staff of the Koreshan theory is of interest to all from the simple fact that never before in the history of the world has such a geodetic work been executed. Whatever might be thought of the results of the series of surveys made on the Florida coast, the one fact remains that at least the plan is unique and original, seemingly embodying a number of simple geometrical principles which have been for some reason entirely overlooked in the usual lines of scientific research and geodetic survey.

The experiments and survey on the gulf coast were under the direction of Professor U.G. Morrow of Chicago, who has from time to time supplied The Times-Herald with a report of the facts observed and results obtained, and now gives a final summary of the results of his investigations, which if accepted will revolutionize science.

Propositions of the Koreshans

The main question involved constituting the basis of operations in the new geodesy is: Will an absolutely straight line surveyed in two directions from the vertical point of a perpendicular, and at right angles to that perpendicular, extend into space, the earth curvating away from that line, or will the lines converge to the water’s surface at two points like the chord of a concave arc? It is claimed that this is the most direct means possible for determining whether the earth is rounded or convexed at its surface, or concaved as the inside of a hollow sphere, and if the experimenters have correctly applied the principles involved they have succeeded in making the first direct test of the character of the surface upon which we live.

On account of atmospheric refraction, the rays of light and vision are bent out of the true rectilinear direction, and consequently cannot be employed as a practical test. The apparatus used, called the rectilineator, is a mechanical contrivance for the purpose of forcing a straight line. The whole plan of the survey is clearly illustrated in the accompanying diagram, which explains itself. The survey began with the apparatus at an altitude of ten feet above the water’s surface, making the basis of the figure eight miles instead of six, as first proposed.

If the earth curvates convexly at the ratio of eight inches to the mile, in four miles from the middle of the straight line chord or from the given perpendicular, the surveyed line would be twenty feet from the convex arc – the line would be that distance above the water at the end of the survey. On the other hand, if the earth curvates concavely, as the Koreshans claim, the line would come in contact with the water. Their object was to demonstrate that the line would “run into the water.” They declare that the line surveyed on the gulf coast terminated in accordance with their expectations, in the water at the distance of four miles from the given perpendicular.

How the Surveys Were Made

Along the line surveyed were fixed stakes every eighth of a mile upon which the altitude of the “air line” was registered as the survey progressed in order that measurements might be made, and afterward referred to, of the distance of the line above the water’s surface. In this way it was proposed to determine whether or not the line approached the surface at the proper ratio, and the claim is made that upon no other kind of a surface than the concave could such relations and figures be observed and obtained, the lines approaching the surface in about the ratio of the calculated concave curvature. At the end of the first mile the “air line” was eight inches nearer the surface than at the beginning; second mile, about thirty-two inches; third mile, six feet, while at the end of four miles the line came in contact with water. Also at every eighth of a mile the ratio was along the same lines of progression. The results for even miles showing the aggregate result for the measured altitude of the line for the stations intervening. From these figures it may be seen that the ratio of concavity determined by these measurements very closely approaches the estimated curvature of eight inches to the mile. The ratio of descent of the line, the increases in the angles of deviation from the horizontal at stations of test with the levels, the length of the line surveyed from the beginning to point of extension into the water, as well as the direction of the plumb line at the various points, in consideration of the principles involved and the apparatus employed, all declare, it is claimed, the fact of the earth’s concavity.

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