Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > Royal Aeronautical Society Collection > Photographic Collection > *NEW* Glass Lantern Slide Scans
Cayleys improved design for a Navigable Balloon, 1783
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Cayleys improved design for a Navigable Balloon, 1783
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 19920830
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library) / Mary Evans Picture Library
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: Cayley's Improved Design for a Navigable Balloon, 1783 Cayley's Improved Design for a Navigable Balloon, created in 1783, represents a significant milestone in the history of aviation. This intricately detailed illustration, showcasing the innovative design by British mathematician and astronomer Arthur Cayley, offers a glimpse into the early days of hot air ballooning. The image reveals Cayley's ingenious adaptation of the Montgolfier brothers' original balloon design. The most notable feature of this improved model is the addition of a wicker basket suspended beneath the balloon envelope, allowing passengers to travel comfortably and safely within the aircraft. This design innovation marked a crucial step towards making ballooning a viable means of human flight. Moreover, Cayley's design includes a series of ropes and pulleys that enabled the pilot to control the balloon's altitude by adjusting the heat within the envelope. By opening or closing the vents, the pilot could either allow hot air to escape or introduce cold air from the outside, thus controlling the buoyancy and maintaining a stable flight. Another essential element of Cayley's design is the inclusion of a compass and a thermometer in the basket, which allowed the passengers to navigate their flight path and monitor the temperature inside the balloon. These additions further enhanced the practicality and safety of hot air ballooning, making it an increasingly popular pastime among the scientific and adventurous communities of the time. In summary, Cayley's Improved Design for a Navigable Balloon, 1783, represents a pivotal moment in the history of aviation. This intricately detailed illustration showcases the innovative design elements that made hot air ballooning a viable and safer means of human flight, paving the way for further advancements in the field.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
