In 1878, Charles F. Ritchel designed a hand-cranked dirigible—a one-man flying machine. Made from lightweight rubber-coated silk, it was powered by a pedal-like mechanism, allowing the pilot to turn a propeller manually.
Ritchel’s dirigible was cigar-shaped, with a frame that maintained its form even when the gas inside was low. It could fly for hours at a time with only one person aboard, making it one of the first successful powered airships.
The dirigible was demonstrated in several public flights, including one notable flight over Hartford, Connecticut, drawing large crowds. This marked one of the earliest practical uses of powered flight in front of an audience.
Despite its success, Ritchel’s dirigible didn’t gain widespread commercial appeal. It was ahead of its time, overshadowed by other developments in aviation, but it remains a significant step in the history of powered flight.
1878: When Airships Were Pedal-Powered 🛩️
In 1878, Charles F. Ritchel designed a hand-cranked dirigible—a one-man flying machine. Made from lightweight rubber-coated silk, it was powered by a pedal-like mechanism, allowing the pilot to turn a propeller manually. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/u6LVfzVluA
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