Airships past and present, together with chapters on the use of balloons in connection with meteorology, photography and the carrier pigeon . une that the mode ofits preparation should beone of the lost arts. In a few monthsCoutelle was able to invitethe committee to inspectthe first war balloon evermade. It was held cap-tive by two ropes. Com-munication with the ground was by means of a speaking-tube,,or by flag signals. A long message was written on paper andthen sent down in a small sand-bag, along one of the is curious that drawings are nowadays sent to the groundin the same way,
Airships past and present, together with chapters on the use of balloons in connection with meteorology, photography and the carrier pigeon . une that the mode ofits preparation should beone of the lost arts. In a few monthsCoutelle was able to invitethe committee to inspectthe first war balloon evermade. It was held cap-tive by two ropes. Com-munication with the ground was by means of a speaking-tube,,or by flag signals. A long message was written on paper andthen sent down in a small sand-bag, along one of the is curious that drawings are nowadays sent to the groundin the same way, the only difference being that small bags areused to which lead plates are attached; they are allowed toslide down the telephone cable, because the connecting rope istoo far from the basket. The committee was so well satisfiedwith the performance of LEntreprenant, as the balloon wascalled, that Coutelle was appointed a captain, with instructionsto form a balloon corps. At the same time he received the titleof Director of the Aerostatic Experimental Station, with Contefor his assistant. The first balloon company on record came into A. K. Fig. 82.—Methods of transporting a captiveballoon. On the left is shown a means ofprotecting the balloon from the wind. 130 AIESHIPS PAST AND PRESENT. existence on April 2nd, 1794, and consisted of a captain, alieutenant, a sub-lieutenant, a sergeant-major, 4 non-com-missioned officers, and 26 men, including a drummer-boy. Theuniform consisted of a blue coat with black collar and facings,finished off with red braid. Their buttons bore the inscription Aerostiers. A special uniform of blue colour was provided asa working costume, and they were armed with swords andpistols. The lieutenant, named Delaunay, was a builder by trade,and turned out to be a very useful and practical man. Within
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