Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Early Balloons and Airships: The History and Legacy of Dirigibles Before the Invention of Airplanes

Early Balloons and Airships: The History and Legacy of Dirigibles Before the Invention of Airplanes
Early Balloons and Airships The History and Legacy of Dirigibles Before the Invention of Airplanes
Author: Charles River Editors
ISBN-13: 9781086999792
ISBN-10: 1086999797
Publication Date: 8/2/2019
Pages: 49
Rating:
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1

5 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Independently published
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

jjares avatar reviewed Early Balloons and Airships: The History and Legacy of Dirigibles Before the Invention of Airplanes on + 3294 more book reviews
Sometimes, I just randomly decide to pick one of my Charles Rivers books to read. Today's was a great selection: Early Balloons and Airships. Having recently read the story of the Wright brothers and their work creating and flying airplanes, I was in a good mindset for balloons and airships. The opening pages provide a quick explanation of the basics of how airships work.

It was amazing to learn that early balloons were available as early as 1794; the French used them for observation of battle conflicts. By the time of the American Civil War, Thaddeus Lowe convinced Abraham Lincoln to use balloons to observe troop movements and communicate orders via telegraph wire.

When the dirigibles were perfected, their creators thought they would be masters of the air. When airplanes started their flights, the dirigible owners thought they would be a curiosity that would soon fade away. The generous number of photographs and drawings added much to my understanding and enjoyment of the subject.