The war had stimulated industry and with the coming of peace the host of manufacturers pursued the old avenue of profit with renewed vigour and capital, meanwhile searching out new ones too, for their rejigged workshops to supply. Fresh advances in forging and metallurgy had occurred. New chemicals had been cooked up, and mixed in novel combinations (original object: combustion, explosions). Gases were being extracted from coals and other sorts of rock. Experiments were afoot. More especially experiments were in the air—that was where you could sniff them. And spy them, too. Guineamoy was the home of the balloon which had graced our grand regatta. During our stay another hot-air balloon was undergoing trials. This specimen had wooden "fans" jutting from its passenger basket. Powered by compressed air, these fans swished round to steer the balloon—slowly, by and large—against the breeze. Yet this method of steering couldn't have been too reliable.
What do You think about Watson, Ian - Black Current 03?
