"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
05/14/2014 at 16:01 • Filed to: planelopnik, blimplopnik
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"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
05/14/2014 at 16:01 • Filed to: planelopnik, blimplopnik | 0
| 0 |
The gasoline petrol engine was not usable and powerful enough to turn propellers until 1896. Before that, dirigibles had to have a means of propulsion. Unfortunately this meant adapting other means of power to that Hydrogen filled balloon. Enter a real steam-punk invention.
1852: Jules Henri Giffard made the first controlled and powered flight in a 6hp - single cylinder steam powered dirigible. It did a 17 mile trip averaging 5mph. Being filled with Hydrogen the smokestack was guided downward and other sources of heat had wire mesh over them to prevent hot cinders and dust from endangering the envelope. It did not have enough power to make the return trip into the wind, but demonstrated control and possibility. At this point electricity in battery form was discovered as a means of power. Don't forget the steam and electric car was popular before the gas versions.
1884: Enter the electro-punks of Charles Renard and Arthur Krebs who flew an ELECTRIC powered ship, LaFrance and would reach 15mph with a 957 pound battery.
1898: Gas engines entered the picture with Alberto Santos-Dumont, making successful gas powered flights....so he is disqualified.
I'm sure there were many others experimenting with powered flight in dirigibles and balloons but these were the only two guys who actually flew theirs and controlled them...as far as I can find. Any I have missed?