VIKING SQUADRON

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Lighter Than Air

In 1670, a Jesuit priest, Francesco de Lana, a professor of mathematics, wrote about an “aerial ship.” This airship would be carried aloft by four large spheres from which all air had been removed to make them lighter than the surrounding air. He proposed to make the spheres out of very thin copper. The principle was sound but the spheres would have been immediately crushed by the pressure of the surrounding air.

Francesco de Lana’s writings are the first scientific records of a “vacuum balloon.” He also discussed the need for ballast (a heavy substance) for controlling ascent and the need to let air enter the spheres gradually to control descent. Francesco de Lana also wrote about military uses for balloons.

Balloons

Gliders/Ultralights

Airships

Francisco de Lana’s Aerial Ship

Several subsequent developments finally made the first successful lighter-than-air flight possible. None were more important than the developments that reduced the cost of printing, which made the wide distribution of books and other written documents possible. For the first time, scientists throughout Europe could compare notes, and benefit from the work done by each other.

Another Jesuit priest, Laurenco de Gusmao, is credited with inventing the hot-air balloon. In 1709, he demonstrated a small hot air balloon for the King of Portugal. Records of this demonstration were printed and widely read throughout Europe.

However, the first manned flight in a lighter-than-air craft didn’t occur until November 21, 1783.  They rode a Montgolfier balloon into the air over Paris. These two men were Pilatre de Rozier, a young physician, and the Marquis d’Arlandes, a young infantry officer. The flight lasted 25 minutes and covered a little more than 5 miles.

Francisco de Lana’s Aerial Ship