Ever hear of the vacuum airship concept?

[JJB17463rdBombGroup]

Interesting wonder what would be possible with modern material science or possible composite materials.
Not saying it is or isn't possible today but there are some interesting new materials out there such as this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
which I didn't know about (just accidentally browsed for).

This was a thought experiment well over 3 centuries ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_airship

more details

http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/jmac/s ... s/lana.htm.