Guillaume Joseph Gabriel de La Landelle (born 5 March 1812, in Montpellier; died 19 January 1886, in Paris) was a French naval officer, journalist, and writer, a seafaring novelist, and author of other maritime works. He was also one of the pioneers of aeronautics. He served in the navy and authored several novels that depict maritime customs and naval warfare.
Career His project for the steam helicopter served as inspiration for Jules Verne's engine in his novel Robur le Conquérant (Robur the Conqueror).
He was also involved with aeronautics. Nadar, who had been enthusiastic about aviation since 1858, founded the (roughly translated as: Society for the Promotion of Air Locomotion with the Aid of Machines Heavier Than Air) together with Gabriel de La Landelle in 1863 and began building a giant balloon, aptly named Le Géant (The Giant).Holmes, Richard (2013). Falling upwards : how we took to the air. London: HarperPress. p. 164 Its first flight took place in Paris on 4 October 1863, with 13 people on board, including Jules Verne.
Selected publications Aviation ou navigation aérienne. Paris 1863 (als Rapporteur) La Société d'encouragement de la locomotion aérienne: Au moyen d'appareils plus lourds que l'air. Rapport du Conseil d'administration pour les années 1864, 1865, 1866. Paris: J. Claye. 1865-7 La Gorgone Frise-Poulet Couronne navale Haine à bord Les Marins Les Passagères. Roman maritime. Les deux routes de la vie Falkar le rouge (ou l'Affranchisement des Nègres). La Frégate l'Introuvable Les cousines de l'Introuvable (Forts. von La Frégate l'Introuvable) Les Enfants de Ravinol et le Siège de Lyon Réponse à la note (du prince de Joinville) sur l'état des forces navales de la France Le Langage des marins
References
Bibliography Exposé de divers systèmes de navigation aérienne et réfutation de l'hélicoptère Nadar, Ponton d'Amécourt et de La Landelle, par Duchesne jeune. Éditions Dentu, Paris 1864 Gustave de Ponton d'Amécourt: Collection de mémoires sur la locomotion aérienne sans Ballons. Volumes 1–4. Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1864