The attached article first appeared in NEW YORK TIMES and it reported on the military dirigible designed by Italian Senator Enrico Forlanini (1848 - 1930). It is a concise account of the differences between Forlanini's dirigible and a contemporary German Zeppelin contrasting their speeds, altitude, and various offensive capabilities.
Enrico Forlanini is is best remembered today for his ground breaking work on steam-powered helicopters, hydrofoils and various other aircrafts, such as his 1909 dirigible, Leonardo Da Vinci<\i>.
Click here to read additional primary source articles about dirigibles and zeppelins.