Blog — Flying Machines

Our Flying Machine obsession continues with this 1853 drawing from Vaussin-Chardanne. Library of Congress Summary: Scaled design drawing shows a system for navigating an airship using propellers. Includes plans of dirigible platform body and complete platform assembly, and identification Creator: Vaussin-Chardanne, designer Date Created/Published: <1853> Medium: 1 drawing : ink, graphite and watercolor. + Source: Flying Machine :: Dirigible Platform Body :: 1853 :: Library of Congress

Yep, little weekend project I’m thinking of putting together. Amazing what you can MacGyver with some heavy-duty twine, canvas, and duct tape. Summary: Scaled design drawing for a patent submitted by J.B. Métivier shows two cross-sections for a fish shaped airship utilizing balloons, sails, bellows, and propellers to transport passengers. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, L.C. staff, 1981-82.) + Source: Navire Aérien Dirigeable :: 1857 :: Flying Machine :: Library Of Congress

From The Library of Congress: Le Veritable Navigateur Aerien (circa 1790) Hand-colored design drawing for an airship navigational system project by Stoupy Bijou consisting of five balloons fastened to a sixty foot mast, a rudder, two 12 foot long oars, and two polygonal vanes to control the rise and fall of the airship. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Published in: The Romance of Ballooning: the story of the early aeronauts. New York : Viking Press, <1971>, p. 62. + Source: Le Veritable Navigateur Aerien (circa 1790) :: Library of Congress

If you’ve been to MegaDeluxe Sports before, you know we have an obsession with flying-machines. + Source: Boat-like Vehicle on Wheels with Parachutes :: 1800s :: Tissandier Collection :: Library Of Congress

Library Of Congress: Technical illustration shows 14 figures with various designs for parachutes, including Blanchard’s parachute, and several vessels with wings. + Source: La Locomotion Aérienne Passive :: Library Of Congress