Page "Bartolomeu de Gusmão" Paragraph 3

In 1709 he presented a petition to King John V of Portugal, seeking royal favour for his invention of an airship, in which he expressed the greatest confidence.

The contents of this petition have been preserved, together with a picture and description of his airship.

Developing the ideas of Francesco Lana de Terzi, S. J., Gusmão wanted to spread a huge sail over a boat-like body like the cover of a transport wagon ; the boat itself was to contain tubes through which, when there was no wind, air would be blown into the sail by means of bellows.

The vessel was to be propelled by the agency of magnets which were to be encased in two hollow metal balls.

The public test of the machine, which was set for June 24, 1709, did not take place.

According to contemporary reports, however, Gusmão did make several less ambitious experiments with this machine, and was supposedly able to fly one 1 km over Lisbon, landing in Terreiro do Paço.