Chapter 13 - Failed Innovations in Blimp Design
For various reasons, ideas that seem fantastic on the drawing board, often do not work out in real life. We provide you here with a number of examples, in the hopes that you acquire a sense of what can go wrong, and which ideas will not fly.
- Balloon-mounted rocket cannon
If it had succeeded, it would have been in great demand, but sadly, none of the test pilots survived.
- Invisibility cloak
One word: Seagulls. And, if that doesn't make it clear, another two words: Passenger Jet.
- The "Hindenberg Button"
The idea seemed to work, but testing was difficult and legally costly.
- Built-in Restaurant
Potential restaurant clientele found it difficult to fufill their reservations.
- Titanium, bullet-proof gondola
This idea never got off the ground, due to weight issues. Also noted was the lack of a bulletproof balloon negated the benefits of a bulletproof gondola.
- Plastic-ball filled balloon to provide day-care for children of pilots
Kids and helium don't mix.
- Digital display on balloon for ads, as opposed to paint
Pilots could not resist changing the display to naughty words.
- Cash bar
Pilots demanded a free bar.
- Tractor beam
Blimp tended to be drawn towards the target object of traction, rather than the desired (opposite) effect.
For more information, please refer to "Pimp My Blimp," vols. III-IV
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