Englishmen designed an aerial steam carriage in 1842. Many of their ideas were practical, but they, too, were ahead of their time — there was no adequate engine.
In 1848, Stringfellow, working alone, built a model 10 feet long with a batlike wing. It had an engine which weighed less than 9 pounds and powered two propellers. It made short, sustained flights, flying as much as 40 yards. It was only a model, but it was real, powered flight.
 |
| John Stringfellow and William Henson design |
