Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Transport, Invention, Steam-power, Railways, Popularization, Periodicals

    Details 'Punch's Aerial Courier', an invention which it believes will 'henceforth be the sole means of communication from one country to another, however distant'. Claims that the 'suspensory and propelling power is obtained by the union of Steam and Punch'. The illustration shows the invention in plan-view. The invention resembles an aerial steamship with 'numbers of Punch' forming the sails, propellers built from 'fantail revolvers', and ballast consisting of the 'back stock' of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. Notes that 'Centrifugal Railways and Inclined Planes' will be erected for the 'flabbergasted' travellers.