'One Immense Black Spot': Aerial Views of London 1784–1918

Abstract

Aerial imagery is everywhere these days, but before World War I, the aerial view had been experienced by a tiny minority of individuals. Focusing on airborne adventures from Lunardi's first flight over British soil in 1784 to the Royal Flying Corps, this article uncovers the variety within aerial viewing. Aerial views are sometimes understood as inherently map-like and surveilliant, as if the airborne viewer always saw in a certain way. However, early balloonists and their passengers describe a London whose aspects could be revealed or disguised, elevated or debased, by different kinds of viewing.