Ballooning: A History, 1782–1900

Description

The hot air balloon has a fascinating history of much trial and error, scientific research and bold adventure. This book chronicles the development and advances in the endeavor and also provides insights into the people who developed the sport--many of whom lost their lives in the process. The book traces the history of ballooning from the Montgolfier brothers' first experiments with a paper balloon in Annonay, France, in 1782, through the next several decades, when the sport's waning novelty forced aeronauts to develop bigger, better and more dangerous tricks. It concludes at the beginning of the 20th century, when the age of the airplane rendered hot air balloons all but obsolete. Cover Table of Contents Preface 1. 1782—In the Beginning: A Voador, a Cock, a Duck and a Sheep 2. 1783—Monsters and Aeronauts 3. 1784—Big Ascensions 4. Rowing with Wings and Other Oddities 5. A Reservation for Hope 6. Don Quixote de la Manche 7. Destinies Played Out 8. Balloons at War 9. Playing Catch-up 10. The Sad Tale of Francis Barrett and the Great English Balloon 11. The Skies Belong to Garnerin 12. James Sadler and the Real Great English Balloon 13. The Women of Aerostation 14. (Mostly) Magnificent Balloon Ascensions: 1812–1819 15. For the World Is Green and I Have Touched the Sky 16. Candidates for Aeronautical Distinction 17. Mr. Harris and Miss Stocks: The Journey Unforeseen 18. The Aftermath and Beyond 19. The Case of the Pastry Cook and a Great Tragedy 20. An Astonishing Resurrection 21. Notwithstanding, Notwithstanding, Notwithstanding... 22. Ballooning in the Americas 23. The Europeans Continue to Make Headlines 24. American Barnstormers and E.A. Poe’s Great Hoax 25. All Balloons, Great and Small 26. More News from the Continent 27. “No Preventing Providence” 28. “A Little Relief from the Ordinary Cares of Life” 29. Crossing the Atlantic—Or Not 30. Higher Than Anyone Had Gone Before 31. Great Plans, Tragedies and a Civil War 32. Civilian Ballooning During and After the Civil War 33. Of Songs, Circuses and “No-Goes” 34. The “Impossibility” of Aerial Navigation 35. News That Shocked the World 36. Seekers After the Philosopher’s Stone 37. “Paddy-Whacks” but “No Balloon Rackets!” 38. Flying Too High 39. “A Ridiculous ‘Flunk’” Appendix: Glossary Chapter Notes Bibliography Index