"John D. Giorgis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I find this an interesting description because in our planet's history,
>as far as I know, balloons have but single footnote in our military history
>- a brief use as sentinels in the American Civil War.
Airships - powered balloons - don't count, then? They served as both
observation and combat platforms in WWI and saw limited service as aircraft
carriers/tenders.
>Anyone have any other examples of inventions that never hit it big in our
>history, but in another timeline might have much more signifigance?
Apparently a jet engine was tested on a biplane just after WWI (and crashed
into a wall before takeoff) but didn't catch on until much later. No
references to cite, alas.
Let's see - how about gunpowder being used for military purposes?
Pick up anything by James (The Day The Universe Changed, Connections)Burke.
The number of "almosts" is stunning.
Joshua
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
