Fisher Airship - 1906

The attached image originally appeared in the January 24, 1906 Indianapolis News. It reports on one of Indianapolis' leading businessmen at the time, Carl Fisher, and his decision to purchase what was commonly called an "air ship." The motorized dirigible, described as cigar-shaped and 79 feet long with a 17 x 9 foot diameter and 70,000 cubic feet of capacity for hydrogen gas, was scheduled to arrive within the following six weeks. It was powered by a four-cylinder Indianapolis-built engine twirling propellers described as "much like that on a ship." It could lift, in addition to the pilot and engine, 50 pounds of ballast. The estimated cost of the hydrogen gas alone was $3,000.
 
This image is from a photograph that supported an article published with it. Check out that link for details.