Per NPG, on September 5, 1862, balloonists and meteorologists, James Glaisher and Henry Tracey Coxwell, ascended from Wolverhampton in their gas balloon to a height of 37,000 feet, the greatest height ever reached by balloon.  So get this: Glaisher lost consciousness upon reaching that insane height and Coxwell lost the use of his hands but at was able to pull the valve-cord with his teeth.  This action lowered the balloon down at Ludlow.