A Journey into Aeronautics

Extract

My First attention to matters Aeronautical occurred at about the turn of the Century, when a balloon appeared over an open space at the north of Portsmouth and a parachutist came down therefrom.

Again, I remember seeing an inflated non-rigid airship exhibited in the Victoria Hall, Southsea, made by a man named Spencer.

One recollects, also, that in those pre-motoring days, it was not unusual for errand boys, on their way in the streets, to sing some music-hall ditty.