Blog — Flying Machines

Hindenburg…schmendenburg…I have a Sky-Cycle for pete’s sake For the love of Syd Mead and all good things in the world – when will I have in my possession the flying-machine I was promised as a child? I mean, even the makers of the Sky-Cycle had it figured-out – way back in 1892. Take some highly flammable gas, oiled-canvas and bicycle parts, throw in a few kites, baling wire, and a dandy-outfit with mannish-mustache…there, you’re set for a flight over a semi-populated area with wooden Victorians, shoulder-high brush and tumbleweeds. Oh, and don’t forget to order the optional parking anchor –...

Summary: Technical illustration shows Besnier’s 1678 design for a flying machine using arm and leg power, two views of Jakob Degen’s man-powered flying machine, and two views after designs published in Thomas Walker’s “Treatise upon the art of flying” providing plans for the construction of a flying car. – Library Of Congress + Source: Flying Machine Technical Illustration :: Tissandier Collection :: Library Of Congress

Design drawings for a man-powered flying machine with manually controlled wings entitled, “Vélocipède aérien,” proposed by Jean Jacques Bourcart, Paris, August, 1866. –Library Of Congress + Source: Design Drawings for a Man-Powered Flying Machine <1866> :: Tissander Collection :: Library Of Congress + Related: • Electric Powered Airship Designed By Albert and Gaston Tissandier <1883> • Balloon Design Drawing :: Louis Panafieu • Flugmaschine. Erfunden von Jacob Degen in Wien <1807>

Design drawings show several views of an electric powered airship designed by Albert and Gaston Tissandier, which made an ascension October 8, 1883 from Auteil, France. – Library Of Congress + Source: Electric Powered Airship Designed By Albert and Gaston Tissandier :: Library Of Congress + Related: • Design Drawings for a Man-Powered Flying Machine <1866> • Balloon Design Drawing :: Louis Panafieu • Flugmaschine. Erfunden von Jacob Degen in Wien <1807>

Design drawing shows proposal by Louis Panafieu in which the operator in an open car attached to the balloon achieves lift without loss of gas in ballast by manipulating cords on underside of the balloon. Includes horizontal, front, elevated and descending views. – Library Of Congress + Source: Balloon Design Drawing :: Louis Panafieu :: Library Of Congress + Related: • Design Drawings for a Man-Powered Flying Machine <1866> • Electric Powered Airship Designed By Albert and Gaston Tissandier <1883> • Flugmaschine. Erfunden von Jacob Degen in Wien <1807>