Terry Blanton wrote:
> These are kewl: > > http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/08/10/airbia-suburban-airships-take-flight/ Wow! I *love* this idea! It is probably impractical as heck, but I'd love to see it. Arthur Clarke was a big fan of lighter-than-air ships. So am I. He & I enjoyed chapter 7 in this book describing what it was like traveling in the Hindenburg: "Reliving the era of the great airships Hindenburg" by R. Archbold and K. Marschall Quote from p. 162: On one occasion the airship had arrived late in the United States and its evening departure was therefore delayed . . . until 10:00 p.m. Two ladies . . . were so worn out that once they were finally allowed on board they retired directly to bed. After midnight, von Meister was passing by their cabin . . . when he noticed that the signal light beside the door was lighted. Just then a steward came running down the corridor. One of the two ladies opened the door. She was dressed in a lovely silk nightgown and wore a sleeping cap on her head. "Steward," the lady asked. "When are we leaving? It's half past twelve." "Why madam," the steward replied, "we left over two hours ago. We're over Cape Cod." "I don't believe you!" the lady snapped. Then, oblivious to her rather informal attire, she ran down the corridor and across the lounge to the promenade windows to see for herself that the ship truly was in flight and about to leave the New England coast. So stable was the Hindenburg in flight that it became something of a game to see how long a pen or pencil could be stood on end without falling down. Eventually, most tired of waiting . . . - Jed
