When petrol engines became available, they gave an impetus to the building of airships; for, like the aeroplane, the airship needed a motive agent which gives a high power for a low weight. One of the first to use a petrol motor in an airship with success was M. Santos-Dumont, whose name has been mentioned in connection with aeroplanes. He tested small, light airships, driven by petrol engines and two-bladed propellers—as illustrated in figure; and with one of these, on a calm, still day, he flew over Paris and round the Eiffel Tower.

A. Gas envelope
B. Wheeled framework which carried motor, propeller, and pilot’s seat
C. Elevating-plane
D. Horizontal rear-plane
E. Rudder.

Author

The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Aeroplane, by Claude Grahame-White and Harry Harper
Published 1914

Posted on

Tuesday 18 August 2020

Keywords

20th Century, Flight, France, Transport

Albums

• Technology / Transport / Air

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