Long before the first airplanes took to the skies, humans had already overcome gravity with the help of airships. Starting with crude hot air balloons, the 18th century saw the development of more ...

War raged in Europe, a US president was re-elected and the first WH Smith outlet began trading - though that was back in 1792 ...

The vast, helium-filled balloon which gives its famous curves and takes it airborne has been deflated, but we were able to ...