| Description: | Muzzi's "Aerortoploa": 1838
"In the study of what one might call the pathological morphology of aero-nautical history, there is no more delightful monster than Muzio Muzzi's dirigible, at first named the "Aereonave rettiremiga", then "Nave aerortoploa" (see footnote). It appears to have been built only in model form, but not in the configuration seen in this magnificent lithograph by Meloni. The original design (1834), like this one, had the lenticular gasbag (incidentally to be raised by hot air), but the two airscrews flanked the bag, being driven by long belts from the car. In its second form (1838) the design for the "Aereonave" had, as can be seen, the airscrews brought down to car level. As Muzzi came from Bologna, Meloni has shown its imaginary ascent in the arena outside the Porta San Vitale."
C H Gibbs-Smith
Footnote: The Italian authorities to whom these two names were referred, were at a loss to provide a rendering, neither being known today in Italy.
One of 12 prints from the collection of the Royal Aeronautical Society reproduced by the Society to mark its Centenary in 1966 - No. 10 |
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