CONTENTS


CHAPTER
PAGE
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
3
PART I
GROWTH OF AËROSTATION
I.
Early History of Passive Balloons
29
II.
Practical Development of Passive Balloons
54
III.
Early History of Power Balloons
78
IV.
Introduction of Gasoline-Driven Dirigibles
101
V.
Practical Development of Non-Rigid Dirigibles
115
VI.
Development of Rigid Dirigibles
145
PART II
GROWTH OF AVIATION
VII.
Model Flying Machines
173
VIII.
Nineteenth Century Man-Flyers
202
IX.
Aëroplanes of Adequate Stability and Power
235
X.
Advent of Public Flying
256
XI.
Strenuous Competitive Flying
283
XII.
Forcing the Art
307
PART III
AËRONAUTIC METEOROLOGY
XIII.
General Properties of Free Air
347
XIV.
General Distribution of Heat and Pressure
363
XV.
Permanent and Periodic Winds
376
XVI.
Cyclones, Tornadoes, Waterspouts
394
XVII.
Thunderstorms, Wind Gusts
422
APPENDICES
I.
Stress in a Vacuum Balloon
443
II.
Aëronautic Letters of Benjamin Franklin
446
III.
Successful Military Dirigible Balloons
456
IV.
The Relations of Weight, Speed, and Power of Flyers
478
V.
Curtiss’ Hydro-Aëroplane Experiments
481
INDEX
487