One hundred years ago
Probably the most important piece of news in the week — at least, admitting that it is in every respect authentic — is the account of the successful steering at Meudon, near Paris, of a balloon against the wind, and according to the account, with the utmost accuracy as regards her obedience to the steering apparatus. The statement is that a cigar-shaped balloon, made to contain an electric accumulator, which will pro- vide a ten-horse power for several hours, ascended into the air at Meudon, took a direct course of half-a-mile to Vieillebon, and then, to the astonish- ment of the spectators, turned in a semicircle and returned to the starting- point, in the teeth of a slight breeze. The balloon is said to have gone and returned with the utmost precision to the exact spots fixed upon beforehand. M. Renard, who is spoken of as the inventor of the machinery — the diffi- culty having consisted chiefly in getting a machine light enough to be carried in the balloon, and yet powerful enough to propel and direct it — asserts that it will be easy to make balloons which will carry a hundred soldiers or more, and that these balloons will wholly trans- form the art of war.
Spectator, 23 August 1984
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