Ever since the dawn of human civilizations, mankind had dream of soaring and flying in the wide sky above them. No limitation….all they can have are freedom….For this, curiosity of human had made them carry out various type of researches towards the goal of flying.
(left) Leonardo’s idea of flight
Chinese….Ottomans….Italian (Leonardo Da Vinci)…..French….most of these people are pioneering in flight during the ancient history and the premodern history. Though Leonardo had created the first blue print for the avionic craft which is believe to have the ability to fly at that time, but his theory never works. So do other pioneer (majority at the 19th century) that worked so hard to perfect the principle of flight (all failed).
At that time, the only way to “fly” is to float in the air, which Montgolfier brother had created the first floating hot air balloon. Though it fulfilled the desire of mankind to reach the sky, but it does not “fly” Instead, it just float (fly direction were all depending of the wind direction). But for me, that’s the main step forward technology in avionic history. And because of the set back caused, the balloon were used only in military as reconnaissance.
Then, came the age of zeppelin, which I admire the ingenuity of Germans who were the pioneer in this field. They said, if he balloon can float, why not we make it “fly” by installing propeller at the edge of the balloon? For the first time, Newton’s law was benefited in avionic science.
And there they go, the first zeppelin were constructed by the end of 19 century. For me, zeppelin were the inspiration of air craft, it strengthen the will for mankind to continue their search for the perfect flying machine. Soon zeppelin were used in transportation and even bombing mission during World War I!
(left) David Schwarz, the pioneer in Zeppelin construction.
The major factor of the downfall of zeppelin was the Hindenburg disaster and the successful invention of air craft by the Wright brothers. Soon the agile air craft that were being into the world war replace the heavy and weak zeppelin. And so, it fade from history silently…..
But the hope come back as new inspiration was born – building a luxurious cruise airship (which the German had success again in this field). Many ideas also arose since then including heavy-lifting ability of airship. In my opinion, this kind of invention should become our personal transportation system in the future, since it did not pollute the environment, and think about it, ain’t it good for all of us to fly when travel from one place to other?
A modern cruise airship
