Jess Nevins has found another gem.



How awesome is this?

A French painting, circa 1805, of a potential invasion of England. France is on the left, England on the right.

A few things to note: the troop-carrying balloons, the manned war-kites acting as aerial defense, and, of course, the Channel Tunnel, dug by the French and giving infantry, cavalry, and artillery access to England.

In all, a rare case of early 19th century painted science fiction.

Too early historically to be part of The Great Crosstime Airship Race, but I think it'll likely be somewhere in the backstory of Capitaine J. Verne.