Zoomi Life

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Okay, I know this has nothing to do with electric vehicles, but it was so cool-looking I couldn’t pass up posting about it)

Technically, the first ever human-powered aircraft (that worked) was the Wright Brother’s plane, since it worked as a glider, more or less (lots of less).  One of them sat on it while the other one pushed it off a hill.

Since then, human power has pretty much died out as a viable way to fly an aircraft.  That could be changing now, though, with the advent of the Aeolus Airship, a human-powered blimp that can stay aloft for two weeks.

Designed by Christopher Ottersbach, it is meant to be both aerodynamic and stay aloft for up to two weeks on its supply of helium.  It’s pedal-powered by a crew of 2 to 4 people, whose efforts power the propellers that move and steer the craft.

The idea is sound and not really that new, though the design and aerodynamics are definitely fresh.  Lots of CAD captures and hand-drawn sketches can be found, but so far, no one seems to know who this Christopher Ottersbach is or how to contact him.  There isn’t a website or anything about this design, so it’s all just drawings.

It’s an interesting concept, but it’s doubtful it’s ever going to really be made.  The marketing potential is way too limited for something like this.  Fun to look at, though.

Source: Inhabitat