there were some good ideas

filling in all the empty spaces with balls that would float? Good idea. Balls filled with a gas that would extinguish fires? Good idea. 

And some not so good idea

It's been a while since I've learned of Goldbeaters' Skins

https://books.google.com/books?id=Lgsn8NtjVikC&printsec=frontcover&rview=1&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false