The Invention Of Montgolfier Brothers
Hot air Balloon
An Aerostat
_______
INVENTION
The Montgolfier brothers, Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier invented the Hot air balloon. The Hot Air Balloon is developed at Annonay, Ardeche, France and demonstrated publicly on September 19, 1783 at versailles, making an unmanned flight lasting for 10 Minutes.
Ever since Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, men had dreamed of flying through the air. In the Age of Enlightenment, it finally happened. Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier, born in Ardèche in France, began to experiment with lighter-than-air flight in 1782 using a piece of fabric billowed aloft by a fire of wool and damp straw. One of their demonstrations attracted the attention of the Académie Royale des Sciences, which asked them to repeat their experiment in Paris.
The balloon was made of cotton canvas with paper glued onto both sides, measured 18.47m tall by 13.28m wide, and weighed 400 kg. It was named Le Réveillon after Étienne's friend Jean-Baptiste Réveillon, the Director of the Royal Manufacture of printed paper, who had designed a motif on a sky-blue background decorated with the king’s cypher two interweavings linked with decorative elements all in gold.
PURPOSE
Hot-air balloons are commonly used for recreational purposes. In addition to quiet morning or afternoon flights drifting cross-country to enjoy the view, many balloonists enjoy competitive sporting events and attempting to set new records. A balloonist may fly alone in the basket or carry several passengers.
The first manned balloon flight in America occurred on January 9, 1793. It was driven by hydrogen gas and piloted by John Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard. Blanchard had crossed the English Channel just one year earlier! President George Washington attended this “first free flight” and watched from the ground. The French military officer ascended 5800 feet from the Philadelphia Prison yard and safely landed the gas balloon on Gloucester County soil near New Jersey’s coastline.
For many, riding in a hot air balloon can be an exhilarating yet peaceful experience. Yet, during the American Civil War, balloons were used for very warlike purposes. The first recorded use of balloons by military forces came in 1794 when the French Committee of Public Safety created the Corps d’ Aerostiers.
These balloons were sporadically used for reconnaissance during the French Revolutionary Wars, seeing action during the battles of Charleroi and Fleurus. Nearly 70 years later during the American Civil War, balloons were still being used for similar military purposes.
Civil War balloons were used for reconnaissance or directing artillery fire on enemy positions. They could reach elevations of 1,000 feet, allowing a great vantage for miles around. Operators would use signal flags or telegraphs to send information to soldiers on the ground. The Union’s balloon program was most successful under the leadership of Thaddeus Lowe. It wasn’t until the civil war that the United States commissioned balloons and pilots to be used in war.
Thadeus Lowe, who owned a commercial balloon ride company, noticed the clouds moving very quickly and believed that if he built a large enough balloon, he would be able to fly from America to England. Since he didn’t have enough money for the expedition, he chatted with President Abraham Lincoln about using his balloons to help the North win the Civil War. Thadeus Lowe inflated his balloon on the White House lawn and attached a 500ft tether line along with a telegraph line into the White House press office. Thadeus ascended his huge balloon to 500 feet and sent the first telegram from the air! Lincoln said,” We are going to win the war with balloons.”
During the civil war, the 10 commissioned balloons called the balloon corps ascended over 3000 times. In 1862 Union General Fitz John Porter had an unexpected experience in a balloon. The tether lines broke, and he flew over enemy lines. Luckily the winds changed, and the balloon landed not far from where it had originally taken off. It was quite an adventure!
Josef Emmer was a true master of the skies, known for his proficiency as both a balloonist and glider pilot. Born on April 14, 1912, he grew up alongside his schoolmate and fellow aviation enthusiast, Bruno Marek. Together, they made history by establishing a record that still stands today in the FAI archives. But Emmer’s greatest accomplishment was being the first person to use propane as a heat source for balloons, paving the way for future advancements in the field.
His two epic flights are still talked about today, particularly the one on October 7, 1935, with Bruno Marek. They flew a co-designed hot-air balloon with a capacity of 63,600 cubic feet, powered by a pressurized petroleum burner, reaching new heights and leaving onlookers in awe. But it was Emmer’s solo flight on September 25, 1939, that cemented his legacy in the annals of ballooning history.
He designed and built the hot-air balloon himself, using pressurized petroleum fuel as the heat source. This flight was officially recognized by the FAI as the first record in a hot-air balloon, marking a significant milestone in the history of aviation.
Conclusion
The history of the hot air balloon is a testament to human curiosity and innovation. From its invention by the Montgolfier brothers in the 18th century to its enduring appeal as a symbol of flight, the hot air balloon has captured the imagination of people around the world. Their pioneering spirit and determination paved the way for a new era of aviation, inspiring generations to reach for the skies and explore the boundless possibilities of the air.
Today, the legacy of the Montgolfier brothers lives on in the gentle ascent of hot air balloons, offering a peaceful journey above the earth and a reminder of the endless wonders that await those who dare to dream. As we look back on the history of the hot air balloon, we are reminded of the power of human ingenuity to defy gravity and soar to new heights, both literally and metaphorically.
Hope you have got some new information through my blog , if you have any quary or suggestions feel free to contact us on Gmail ID : devasyatiwari2884@gmail.com and you can drop a comment also.
Wonderfull
ReplyDelete