Origins of Flight - Balloons PDF

From the 1500’s to 1800’s, looking at flight as a science started to take place. From understanding buoyancy and flying in the first balloons to figuring out how to generate lift with gliders were the hallmarks of this time period. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Leonardo DaVinci The Montgolfier Brothers Jacque Charl...

From the 1500’s to 1800’s, looking at flight as a science started to take place. From understanding buoyancy and flying in the first balloons to figuring out how to generate lift with gliders were the hallmarks of this time period. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Leonardo DaVinci The Montgolfier Brothers Jacque Charles and the Hydrogen Balloon Sir George Cayley’s Principles of Flight Otto Lilienthal’s Glider Flights Octave Chanute 1452-1519 In addition to the many other inventions and paintings he became famous for, he made significant contributions to the field of aviation and flight through his imaginative sketches and concepts. Although he did not build any functional flying machines, his ideas laid the groundwork for future developments in aeronautics. Aerial Screw: Leonardo da Vinci designed a machine known as the aerial screw, which resembled a helicopter. It featured a screw-like structure that, when rotated, would theoretically generate lift and propel the machine into the air. While his designs were never built or tested in his time, they demonstrated an understanding of the principles of lift and propulsion. Ornithopter: Da Vinci sketched several designs for a machine called the ornithopter, inspired by the flight of birds. The ornithopter was conceived as a device with wings that flapped, mimicking the motion of bird wings. While he never built a working model, his drawings and ideas influenced later inventors and engineers. 1452-1519 Parachute: Da Vinci also conceptualized a parachute design. His parachute resembled a pyramid-shaped canopy made of linen, with a wooden frame. Although he did not have the opportunity to test it, the design demonstrated an understanding of the principle of air resistance and the potential for slowing down a fall. While Leonardo da Vinci's designs were never realized in his lifetime, they were groundbreaking in their approach to understanding the mechanics of flight. His work laid the foundation for future generations of inventors and engineers who would go on to develop and refine aviation technology. The principles he explored in his sketches contributed to the eventual development of flying machines in the centuries that followed. 1452-1519 Invention that Soared: The Montgolfier Brothers and the Hot Air Balloon Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier The Breakthrough: In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers revolutionized aviation with their invention of the hot air balloon The Birth of Flight: The hot air balloon, a vessel filled with heated air, marked the birth of human-controlled flight on Sept 19, 1783 Timeline of Balloon Flights: Sept 19, 1783 – A sheep, rooster and duck fly over Paris Oct 15, 1783 – Etienne Montgolfier flies on a tether Nov 21, 1783 – First human free flight across Paris Dec 1, 1783 – First human gas balloon flight across Paris Innovation The Montgolfier brothers' invention laid the foundation for future developments in aviation, influencing the design and principles of flying machines The balloon opened the skies to exploration, marking the dawn of a new era in aviation history Scientific Discovery The balloon's ascent provided valuable insights into the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to advancements in meteorology and aeronautics Imagination & Exploration Beyond its scientific significance, the hot air balloon captured the human imagination, inspiring dreams of flight and exploration Jacques Charles flew his own Hydrogen balloon months after the Montgolfier flight, on Dec 1, 1783. The hot air balloon not only elevated humanity above the clouds but also elevated the possibilities of what could be achieved in the vast expanse of the skies 1773-1857 British Inventor and Aviation Pioneer • Developed the Principles of Flight: Weight, Lift, Thrust and Drag • Conceptualized the first Heavier-than-Air Flying Machine (the airplane) • Constructed the first successful manned glider flights Sir George Cayley’s Legacy: • Laid the groundwork for modern aviation and aeronautical engineering • His ideas influenced the Wright Brothers and other aviation pioneers “I feel perfectly confident that we shall be able to take our views and reasonings, and to apply them practically, to some useful purpose, in navigating the air” -Sir George Cayley 1773-1857 1773-1857 1848-1896 German Aviation Pioneer and Engineer • Conducted pioneering work on the flight of birds and the principles of aerodynamics • Designed and flew thousands of successful glider flights that he built • Published the influential book “Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation” • Died from complications resulting from a crash in his own glider “To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything” -Otto Lilienthal Otto Lilienthal’s Legacy: • Inspired future aviation pioneers including the Wright Brothers • Demonstrated the practicality of manned flight and the importance of aerodynamic control 1832-1910 American Civil Engineer & Aviation Pioneer • Applied his expertise in civil engineering to the field of aviation • Conducted extensive research on aeronautics and shared his findings with other aviation pioneers • Collaborating with and mentored the Wright brothers, providing valuable guidance and support "The problem of human flight cannot be solved by means of wings and engines alone.“ - Octave Chanute Octave Chanute’s Legacy: • Published "Progress in Flying Machines," a comprehensive summary of all aeronautical research and experimentation • Advocated for collaboration and information sharing among aviation enthusiasts, contributing to the progress of aviation as a whole 1832-1910 1834-1906 American Astronomer, Physicist & Aviation Pioneer • Conducted pioneering experiments with unmanned model aircraft, including successful steam-powered models • Lead the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and made significant contributions to the field of astronomy • Developing the "Langley Aerodrome," an early manned aircraft, and making attempts at powered, manned flight "The flight of the future, perhaps, will not be of earth or sky, but of the heart.“ - Samuel Langley Samuel Langley’s Legacy: • Laid important groundwork for powered flight with his aerodynamic research and experiments • Inspired and influenced other aviation pioneers, including the Wright brothers • Demonstrated the potential for powered, manned flight, despite initial setbacks