1959: Hovercraft marks new era in transport

A revolutionary new form of transport – the hovercraft – is officially launched off England’s south coast in June 1959.

The hovercraft was invented by boat-builder Christopher Cockerell and was described as a cross between an aircraft, a boat and a land vehicle.

Dubbed a “man-made flying saucer”, the vehicle was propelled on a cushion of air created by its own fan power, allowing it to operate on both sea and land.

BBC Archive: Originally broadcast on 11 June 1959.