France, October, 1904, Robert Esnault Pelterie, a French glider pilot reports using wing warping to maintain transverse equilibrium on gliders is too dangerous. He further stated "It was possible, in our opinion, to cause magnified tension on the wires."

Instead, he has invented a new device comprising of two separate horizontal surfaces  which  are mounted forward of the wings. The pilot has a hand operated wheel to control them. Used symmetrically, they provide longitudinal stability. Used differentially, they control lateral stability.

This is just the latest modification made to his copy of a 1902 Wright type glider, which he found to be poor in its original form during maiden tests in May. Earlier this month the glider reappeared in modified form for a second series of trials. These too were not successful. The wings had been given less curvature in section, the span reduced to 3 lft 6in and the elevator removed. Wing-warping had been added, but with down-ward movement only. Pilot weight shift provided pitch control. The "new surfaces" were installed for the present third series of trials. The glider is being towed be-hind a car on a trolley but has so far not achieved