In 1852 he made history with his pioneering flight in a steam powered airship.
By the time these photographs were taken in 1878, visionary inventor Henri Giffard was making the impossible possible for everyday men and women - the chance to see Paris from the air.
Installed in the courtyard of the Tuileries, Paris, and surrounded by tethering devices, large winches and ballast, this is one of the first passenger carrying air balloons.
It has been well over a century since humans achieved the phenomenon of flight. But in the days of steam and horse power, the mammoth airship would have been an alien sight indeed.


Read more: [link to www.dailymail.co.uk]
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Have to say I'm impressed with the Daily Mail actually producing a credible article!