The Concussion Theory

Ruggles' idea concerned the use of small cheap balloons capable of carrying aloft explosives to be detonated by a time fuse or by electricity from the ground. The aerial concussion thus created contended Ruggles would condense vapor in the air, thereby precipitating rain and preventing drought. Dironforth's team constructed 60 mortar-like guns and placed explosives in prairie dog and badger holes. They flew kites with dynamite sticks suspended from them by electrical fuses and tied the kite strings to brush. On August 9th, they set off the explosions; the next morning it rained.