Airships of 1896-97

Before the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first heavier than air airplane in 1903, Californian newspapers of late 1896 were flooded with reports of strange aircraft
Pilots were often seen in these craft;
witnesses claim the pilots were flying across country to Washington, DC to file a patent
Many of these craft were cigar shaped and seen at night
These craft were often described as having powerful searchlights attached to them
By spring 1897, these craft were reported along the Altantic coast
Reports ceased by summer 1897

UFOlogy in the 20th Century