Comments on: Knut and Nils

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:19:32 +0000

The Andree balloon was filled with hydrogen, not hot air (before the discovery of helium). Because the H2 molecule is so small, hydrogen is the most difficult gas to contain, especially in a fabric bag. And they had no means to generate more hydrogen on the trip, so once they were down they could never-ascend. And they did lose three of the four steering ropes upon launch. The ropes were connected by threaded ferrules to the basket, and were coiled below. As the ropes uncoiled, the ferrules unscrewed and the ropes fell off!

By: First American Floats Across English Channel « Looking Backward

First American Floats Across English Channel « Looking Backward — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:58:43 +0000

[...] hobbyist ballooner. Blanchard was a well-known early participant in the early balloon flights which inspired a “balloonmania” in Europe. Decorative items and even clothing were detailed with images of balloons or styled au [...]

By: cocoringo

cocoringo — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:11:39 +0000

man, what is it with hot air balloons and being prone to wild episodes of quixotic eccentricity? i’m going up in one in april, so if i start behaving oddly don’t be surprised. that andrée story gets me every time…