Basil Smith: 1852 Giffard Hot Air Balloon

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1983
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

In September 1852, Henri Giffard ascended from the Hippodrome in Paris, the first man in the world to successfully take to the air in a mechanically powered airship. His victory over the confines of gravity was made even sweeter as he went on to prove that he could navigate his amazing machine. Controlling its movements in the light breeze, Gifford eventually landed at Trappe, some seventeen miles from Paris. His cruising speed was approximately six miles per hour. Not satisfied with simple directed flight, he also took the opportunity to experiment with a triangular sail, using it as a rudder to guide his craft. Although able to deviate somewhat from the direction of the wind, Giffard was unable to fly his dirigible against the wind to return to his starting point. The problem, he discovered, was an underpowered engine. Moderately successful, the 1852 Giffard became the prototype for later semi-rigid airships. Giffard went on to design two other airships. The first was slightly larger than his 1852 model, but an accident during ascent caused the gas bag to burst, aborting the flight. His third design was ambitious. Vast even by today's standards, the plans called for proportions of 1,970 feet in length, 98 feet in diameter and a capacity of 7,800,000 cubic feet. A thirty ton steam engine would have given it a cruising speed of forty-five miles per hour. But the cost of the project made it impossible to build. Consequently, Giffard confined his work to larger, captive balloons.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the 1852 Giffard.

Artwork Copyright © 1983 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB08568

US$ Price: $950.00

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