The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-08-05
THE HISTORY OF THE BALLOON,

The probably -tragic end of Prof. Donald
son and his youthful companion, Mr.
Grimwood-at least the mystery which
surrounds their fate since Thursday even
ing OF last week-invests the subject of
aeronautics with an interest which does
not attach to it at all times, and which the
people of this section may not attach to it
again, unless, perhaps, some cqually-un-
fortunate aeronauts from among them
may, like Donaldson and Grimwood, meet
with an cqually-unfortunate death. In
view of the present interest of the public
in the subject, we have thought that a
short history of Aeronautics would be &C.
ceptable.
The inventors of the balloon were the
brothers Stephen and Joseph Montgolticr,
sons OF paper-manufacturer at small
town called Annonay, in France. The
Montgolticr family were ardent Huguenots,
and suffered great deal after the massacre
OF St Bartholomew. Both brothers were
mathematicians and architects.
Annonav affords fine view of the Alps.
The two Montgoltiers had often watched
the ascent of clouds along the sides of the
mountain, and, being of a reflective cast of
mind, they began to inquire into the causes
of the equilibrium of those enormous
masses OF clouds sailing through the air.
They found theoretical solution; but,
not satisfied with this, resolved to test
their ability in copying nature. They
thoughtof making artificial clouds, and of
sending them to join those that lowered
about the tops of the Alps. They en-
veloped the vapor of water in a light en-
velope. 1t rose for moment; but, the
vapor condensing, it soon fell to the
ground. They next tried to inclose the
smoke produced by the combustion of
wood in a linen envelope; but here they
met with no better success. They now
came across Priestley's Experiment on
the Different Kinds of Air." in which the
learned chemist acquainted the world with
a great number Of new gases and with
their properties. Stephen, rejecting on
Priestley's theories, came to the conclusion
that it would be possible, by inclosing in a
light envelope gas lighter than air, to
cause the whole TO rise. He first tried
hydrogen; but, the material of his en-
velope not being able to prevent its
escape, his balloon soon returned. The
brothers now lighted fire, held paper
filled with the smoke or the heated air,
the bag moved rapidly upward.
1t was ON the 9Th of June, 1888, that the
first public balloon ascension was effect
ed, under the direction of the Montgolfier
brothers. Their balloon was made of
linen and was 105 feet in circumference.
1t was heated from little piles of straw
and, when set free, rose to a considerable
height, travelled ten minutes and then de.
scended, about mile and half from the
place of departure.
The ascension of MOntgolfier's balloon
created a general sensation wherever the
news spread, and other ascensions followed
in quick succession. Two brothers of the
name of Robert decided to repeat the
Montgolfier experiment Hydrogen-at
this time known as inf1ammable air-was
used, instead Of common heated air, to fill
the balloon, which was made of silk, var
nished with species of gum, and was
about thirteen feet in diameter The in.
tiation began on the 23d of August, 1888,
and was not concluded until the 9th
when it was set free and rose to the height
of about 1900 feet A vast assemblage OF
people gathered at~the Champs de Mars
and witnessed it ascend. The excitement
created by the novel sight in the gay city
of Paris was so intense that the crowd did
not disperse, although, shortly after the
balloon had made its ascent, a heavy
shower of rain began to fall. The rain
however, did not check in any way the
flight of the balloon. After remaining in
the air a little less than an hour it de.
seconded, fifteen miles from the Champs d.
Mars. 1t met with very inhospitable re
ception from the peasantry among whom
it fell; for, believing it to be . messengel
of Satan, they tore it into shreds.
- About the middle of the follOwin,
month Joseph Montgolfier sent up bal
loon in the presence of the French roya
family at Versailles. This time a Gag
with = cock, duck and a sheep for ten
ants was attached to the bag. They wer,
carried to height Of 800 feet and re
turned uninjured after a journey Of tw'
miles, performed in eight minutes, to tn
ca nth. ~~4
Francolse Philatre de, Rozier was tn
first human being who ventured to navi
gate the air. After various experiment
in balloon attached to the ground witt
ropes he risked himself in free one, AM
his first frse ascent was successful.
short time after other ascents were mad
by two other French gentlemen, Messrs
balloon to pretty much the form it has q
valve and the car. After this balloon q.
The FIRST Amk&ica ba11oon ascensio
took place inEls8 nd the. FIRST EagliS
one in the same year. OF the most note
ton but few. That of Lunatdi, secrt
tary to the Ambassador from Naples
England, is remarkable more for the .,
element its novelty produced in Londo
than from any wonderful incidents COZ