Airships - In Focus - The Atlantic

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Link: Airships - In Focus - The Atlantic

 

Since the 1850s, engineers have been experimenting with powered lighter-than-air flight, essentially balloons with steering and propulsion. Like other early aeronautical experiments, the trial-and-error period was lengthy and hazardous. Dirigibles (with internal support structures) and blimps (powered balloons) were filled with lifting gases like hydrogen or helium, intended for many uses, from military and research to long-distance passenger service. The growth of the airship suffered numerous setbacks, including the famous Hindenburg disaster in 1937, and never developed into a major mode of travel. Despite the challenges, more than 150 years later, a number of airships are still in use and development around the world as cargo carriers, military platforms, promotional vehicles, and more...

 

[38 photos]

 

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/airship101113/s_a15_01010198.jpg

[pcstru]

"Despite the challenges, more than 150 years later, a number of airships are still in use and development around the world as cargo carriers, military platforms, promotional vehicles, and more... "

 

Yet sadly the pundits predictions forecasting return of the mighty airships have so far turned out to be nothing but hot air.

 

 

(Some fantastic photos on that link, meanwhile I'll get me coat).

Edited October 14, 2013 by pcstru