Existing comment:
CONTROLLABLE BALLOONS: DIRIGIBLES
From the beginning, the usefulness of the balloon depended upon giving it "dirigibility" or directional control -- without it, balloons could only drift with the wind. Although the U.S. Army did not buy its first dirigible until 1908, the technology had existed for more than 50 years.
In 1852 Henri Giffard, a French engineer, mounted a 3-hp steam engine beneath a 143-foot long hydrogen balloon. Although the craft was underpowered, Giffard flew a semi-controlled 17-mile course in just under three hours, thus making the first powered human flight.
In 1884 two French army captains, Charles Renard and A.C. Krebs, built a 165-foot long dirigible, christened the La France, powered by a 9-hp electric motor. The La France became the first air vehicle to make a full circle and return to the place from which it was launched. |