History of Blimps

Blimps were first introduced in 1780s. The basic ideaLater on, experts endeavored in designing a blimp
was created by Lieutenant Jean Baptiste Mariethat could be controlled using electricity.
Meusnier (considered as father of blimps) in hisGaston Tissandier Siemens presented an airship using
drawing where he presented a 260 ft long balloon inelectric motor of 1.1 KW in 1883. The first flight of an
an egg like shape. These blimps are also namedelectrically operated blimp was taken by La France,
airships or dirigible. That idea was the basic start ofCharles Renard and Arthur Constantin Krebs after
these airships and later on experts started workingone year of its development. The his blimp was 170
on its actual development. Jean-Pierre Blanchardft long and covered the area of eight (8) km in
presented a hand fitted airship in 1784. Moreover,approximately 23 minutes. The electric motor of 6.3
Nineteenth century is considered as the actualKW was used in that blimp during its flight.
emergence of blimps when different expertsMeanwhile, Airships and blimps became popular among
presented their blimps with many improvements. Inpeople. In 1888, Peter C. Campbell ordered an airship
1883, an Australian pioneer named as Dr William Blandcompany to make a blimp for his personal use, which
was sentenced due to his seven years transportationwas named as "Cambell airship." However, this airship
on a blimp.was lost just after one year in the sea along with
In 1851, Bland presented an idea of designing a blimpProfessor Hogan after an exhibition flight. After that
airship with a steam engine and named it the "Atomicincident, experts tried to design a blimp with petrol
airship." Bland's idea was to supply power to airshipsengine rather than electric motor.
by the steam engine (just like those installed in cars).Dr. Frederich Wölfert built a blimp in 1888 with the
Bland's design was highly appreciated by the expertspetrol engine. However, this airship caught fire during
and the first atomic blimp was introduced in 1952.its flight. In result Dr. Frederich Wölfert and his
Henri Giffard was the first person who flewfellow, both were killed during that flight.
approximately 27 km on a steam power airship.Twentieth century is considered as the best era of
Paul Haenlein realized that these airships could also beblimps and airships because now they can be totally
operated by using internal combustion engine runningcontrolled in different weather conditions. Now they
on the coal gas. In 1872, he succeeded in making anare rarely used for passenger transportation purpose,
airship with internal combustion engine. In 1878, arather they are utilized many other purposes like
public demonstration of internal combustion enginelifting heavy material by the use of airship, advertising
was given by the Charles F. Ritchel. Also, Ogneslavof different companies and exploration of remote
Kostovic Stepanovic designed a blimp in 1880s.areas.
However, it was damaged by a fire before it flew.