The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-11-11
73,OOO Feet m Air ByAu1,yB Balloon Men
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ments representing many thousands of dollars. Scientific objectiveS of the flight included aerial photo graphy, study of the effect of al- titude upon radio waves, tempera- ture and barometric readings at various levels, cosmic ray studies, taking of atmosphere samples, and spectographic observations.
 In this air-tight compartment, with hardly room enough among the instruments to move around, the two balloonists were to make their own atmosphere from liquid air and liquid oxygen, carried in large flaSkS.
 Expecting to encounter very low temperatures at the ceiling" of flight, the two men loaded into the gondola extra clothing including furlined flying suits and boots. For food, they took vacuum jars of hot coffee, chicken sandwiches and a couple of cans of beans. With their many instruments to handle, and the balloon to navigate, neither man expected, however, that there would be time to eat. By short-wave radio they expect ed to be in communication with the earth throughout the expedition, and were to make almost constant reports.
 Four army airplanes followed the course of the balloon at lower alti- tudes, and two trucks were to fol- low by land, with crews to aid in salvaging the bag and gondola after the explorer comes to earth
 Balloon Men Smiling Stevens and Anderson were smil- ing and happy as they made last minute preparations for the flight which came after nearly two months of constant waiting for favorable weather.
 Clad in heavy flying clothes, they shook hands with National Geo. graphic society officials and news papermen before the take-off.
 "This is our third try" Anderson said, "and we believe the third time is the charm. We have the best equipment ever, and we hope for complete success" Then Stevens, the technician climbed into the gondola through one of the small man-holes near its top, and Anderson mounted into the rigging, standing among the ropes hooked to the attaching ring at the top of the gondola to direct the takeoff.
 One by one the ropes held by the ground crew were cast away, until finally the great craft lifted an inch or two from the earth, pulling against the remaining lines as though anxious to be off.
 The whole craft was walked" by the ground crew over to the west side of the bowl, so as to give the greatest clearance at the east side in view of the breeze from the west Anderson had several small bags of ballast, weighing 25 pounds each punched about his feet on top oi the gondola. He cast away three of them, and the balloon tugge6 more strongly at its lines. Satisfied then that he had suf- ficient lifting power to clear ths rocky rim of the bowl, the pilot shouted his command, up balloon, and the flight was on.
 At about 10000 feet, the men ex- pect to seal the gondola. making Il air-tight for the remainder of the flight.
 The balloon carried more than tons of fine lead shot as ballast, ir locks at the bottom of the gondola where 1t could be released at will by the flyers.
 Despite the bitter cold, an esti- mated 10000 people lined the rim oi the bowl to watch the takeoff, anc i cars were parked the length of the II mile road leading into Rapid City.