What combination of materials was famously used when constructing one of the Montgolfiers' larger balloons for structural integrity?
Answer
Thin paper attached to a light cloth frame
As the scale increased, the challenge shifted to maintaining structural integrity while keeping the envelope light enough to achieve lift. For their larger demonstration models, the brothers employed a composite structure involving two primary materials. They utilized a light cloth to serve as the primary structural framework and attachment points, while thin paper was attached or pasted onto this fabric foundation. This method allowed the paper to function as the main retainer for the heated air, leveraging the strength of the cloth for shape maintenance against the expansive forces of inflation.
Related Questions
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