An Account of Five Aerial Voyages in Scotland, in a Series of Letters to His Guardian, Chevalier Gerardo Compagni, Written Under the Impression of the Various Events that Affected the Undertaking

In the 21st century - the age of the budget airline - where quick and reliable air travel is available to a large segment of society, it seems hard to comprehend that it is less than 250 years since the first human took to the skies. Although the wing of the bird seemed like the most obvious natural mechanism to attempt replicate, it was actually contained hot air, as demonstrated by the Montgolfiers and their balloon, that gave birth to the era human aviation. Since the first manned balloon flight in 1783, developments have come thick and fast, the airship, the aeroplane, and finally the space shuttle. This reprint of a classic publication by Vincenzo Lunardi, one of the most famous aeronauts in history and the first to ascend in a balloon in England, gives a fascinating insight into the early history of aviation. Complete with a brand new introduction it is a collection of letters that give accounts of some of his most interesting ascents. This work is a wonderful read for anyone with an interest in the fantastic and majestic lighter-than-air period of aeronautical history.