| |
|
Lighter
than Air
Lighter-than-
air balloons can provide the lift required to carry
people, and in 1783 the Mongolfier brothers flew a hot air balloon that was
filled with lower density heated air prior to being released. The painting
shows the hydrogen filled balloon built in 1783 by Jean-Pierre Blanchard that
had a propeller actuated by a hand crank attached to the gondola. This was
rotated by the two aviators in an attempt to control the direction of the balloon
flight. The drag of the air on the balloon and the lack of experience
in propeller design made this propulsion mode ineffective except in absolutely
still-air conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
