Early Ballooning Innovations

Engravings showcasing early aeronautical designs and adventures, including parachutes and balloons, depicting historical moments in flight.

The captive balloon built by Giffard in Turin, Italy. Europe. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1884

Engraving depicting Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753-1809) a French inventor and Dr. John Jeffries (1745-1819) an American physician, scientist, and a military surgeon. Dated 20th Century

The captive balloon built by Giffard in Turin, Italy. Europe. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1884

Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon descent at Billancourt, 1784. Woodblock engraving from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Fourth voyage in a Montgolfier balloon, at Milan, 1784, manned by Count Paulo Andreani and the Gerli brothers, Agostino and Carlo. Woodblock engraving from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Engraving depicting André-Jacques Garnerin's first parachute descent in 1797. André-Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823) a French balloonist and the inventor of the frameless parachute. He was appointed Official Aeronaut of France. Dated 19th century

Daring and Perilous performance of Harry Leslie, the Gymnast - suspended from the bottom of Professor Lowe's balloon, Saturday, Sept 30, 1865

Engraving depicting Henry Bell's design for an aerial machine, which had a rudder and two screw propellers. Henry Bell (1767-1830) a Scottish engineer. Dated 19th Century

Parachute in 1880, floating down, historical, digital reproduction of an original from the 19th century

Balloon with dropping device, by Marie Madeleine Sophie Armant, March 25, 1778 - July 6, 1819 , the first professional balloonist / Ballon mit Fallvorrichtung, von Marie Madeleine Sophie Armant, 25. März 1778 - 6. Juli 1819 , die erste professionelle Ballonfahrerin, Historisch, historical, digital improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century / digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert,.

Engraving depicting Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon. Dated 18th Century

Le Flesselle Balloon made by the Montgolfier Brothers 1784 From the book Wondeful Balloon Ascents or The Conquest of the Skies published c 1870

Engraving depicting Samson's design for a navigable balloon. Dated 19th Century

The balloon is filled with 'inflammable Air drawn from Iron by means of a Vitriolic Acid' ; it will make an unmanned flight from the Champ de Mars to Gonzesse. Date: 27 August 1783

James Sadler setting off on the proposed first crossing of the Irish Sea from Dublin by balloon, 1812; with details of the hydrogen barrels and equipment. Engraving.

Observation balloon or spying balloon, "Neptune", for battlefield and artillery observation, Montmartre, Paris, France, historical scene from the Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, 1870-1871, between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, Europe

Engraving depicting the Robert brothers helping Professor Jacques Charles fill his balloon with hydrogen. Les Frères Robert were two French brothers. Anne-Jean Robert (17581820) and Nicolas-Louis Robert (17601820) were the engineers who built the world's first hydrogen balloon for professor Jacques Charles. Jacques Alexandre César Charles (1746-1823) a French inventor, scientist, mathematician, and balloonist. Dated 19th century

Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England. Dated 18th Century

Balloon of Testu-Brissy, Pierre Testu-Brissy, 1770, 1829, was a pioneer of ballooning, France, Historical, digital reproduction of an original from the 19th century, Europe

Illustration depicting Charles Green's balloon. Charles Green (1785-1870) a British balloonist. Dated 19th Century

Robert brothers helping JAC Charles (1746-1823) to inflate balloon with hydrogen produced by covering barrel of iron filings with sulphuric acid. On 1 December 1783 Charles and one of brothers made first ascent in hydrogen balloon. After a contemporary engraving.

Optical phenomenon observed on 8 June 1872 by Messrs against the Admiral Baron Roussin and Gaston Tissandier in a aerostatic ascension, vintage engraving. Optical phenomenon observed on 8 June 1872 by Messrs against the Admiral Baron Roussin and Gaston Tissandier in a aerostatic ascension, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1873. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10679406

Engraving depicting a British parachute design. Dated 19th Century

Illustration depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration. Henry Tracey Coxwell (1819-1900) a British aeronaut. Dated 19th Century

Le Grand Ballon Captil, 1878, a captive balloon built by Giffard, flew during the Paris International Exposition in 1878, France, historic wood engraving, about 1888, Europe

Lenormand's parachute, 1783, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

The hot air balloon used by Testu-Bressy for the ascent of June 17, 1786, France, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 405, Volume XVI, November 29-December 6, 1850.

Henri Giffard's (1825-1882) steerable airship of 1852, the first dirigible. Engraving of 1903.

Jacques Garnerin making the first parachute descent - 22 October 1797. Illustration published London circa 1870

Le ballon dirigeable «l'Aigle», construit en 1834 par le comte de Lennox.. La Vaulx, Henry de, 1870-1930. Manuscripts, Portraits, Drawings, Prints. 1922. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Airships, Lennox, comte de

Leturr cleverly solves the problem of getting airborne by releasing himself from a balloon. Alas, his design is not so clever, and he plunges fatally to the ground. Date: 1854

Ville de Florence air balloon flying over the Ouche river, engraving from Histoire de mes Ascensions by Gaston Tissander, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 2027, Volume LXXVIII, December 31, 1881.

The ornithopter of Vincent de Groof, illustration from Nuova illustrazione Universale, Year 1, Vol II, No 37 and 38, August 2, 1874.

De Sanderval's Prototype Glider Date: 1870s

Balloon of Jean-Pierre Blanchard, 1784 print The air balloon with parachute and boat underneath that made an experimental flight on March 17, 1784 above Champ de Mars in Paris. Next to it an image of only the boat with movable wings. The parts are numbered and are explained in the explanation next to the image. paper etching balloon (aviation). flying on or with the aid of object(s)

Experience of the Aerostatic Machine of Mrrobert, / from St. Cloud on July 15, 1784. Anonymous. "Experience of the M.robert Aerostatic Machine, / from St. Cloud on July 15, 1784". Water-loud colored.

Inflating balloon with hydrogen, produced by covering barrels of iron filings with sulphuric acid and feeding gas into balloon. Engraving 1845.

Illustration depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration. Henry Tracey Coxwell (1819-1900) a British aeronaut. Dated 19th Century

France, Paris. Preparations for the first ascent of the Captive Balloon in the Tuileries Garden, verified on July 18, 1878, during the Paris Universal Exhibition. Engraving by Capuz. La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana, 1878.

Montgolfiere from September 11, 1783, Montgolfière is the name of the first hot air balloon, named after the French inventors Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier / Montgolfiere vom 11. September 1783, Montgolfière ist der Name des ersten Heißluftballons, benannt nach den französischen Erfindern Joseph Michel und Jacques Etienne Montgolfier, Historisch, historical, digital improved reproduction of an original from the 19th century / digitale Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert,.

Engraving depicting François Laurent le Vieux d'Arlandes and Jean-François Piltre de Rozier in their Montgolfier balloon in which they made the first manned free balloon flight on 21 November 1783. François Laurent le Vieux d'Arlandes (1742-1809) was a French marquis, soldier and a pioneer of hot air ballooning. Jean-François Piltre de Rozier (1754-1785) was a French chemistry and physics teacher, and one of the first pioneers of aviation. Dated 18th century

Crowds gathered, in the Champs de Mars, to watch the landing of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon. Dated 18th Century

Death of the French aviators Godard and Panis when their balloon was struck by lightning over Chicago. From 'Le Petit Journal', 15 July 1891. Accident Ballooning

Engraving depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's design for balloons to be used for Arctic exploration. Henry Tracey Coxwell (1819-1900) an English aeronaut. Dated 19th Century

Copper hot-air balloon invented by Edmond Marey-Monge, France, lithograph by Salvatore Puglia from Poliorama Pittoresco, n 41, May 18, 1844.

Pneumatics of aerostation, the science of operating lighter-than-air aircraft, with two hot-air balloons and aeronauts. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London, 1820.

Crowds gathered, in the Champs de Mars, to watch the landing of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon. Dated 18th Century

The balloon ascent of Poitevin and his horse from the Champ-de-Mars, July 14, 1850, Paris, France, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 386, Volume XVI, July 20, 1850.

Luftfahrt: der Ballon von Henri Giffard, Aviation, digital restaurierte Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. Jahrhundert, Originaldatum nich...

Ascent of an elongated, manned balloon by Professor Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers, Anne-Jean and Nicolas-Louis, July 1784. Woodblock engraving by Mes from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Experience of globe of the brothers Anne-Jean and Marie-Nol Robert in the Tuileries Garden (19th September 1784). Engraving.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin and his parachute: closed for ascent beneath a balloon, and open for descent. Woodblock engraving from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Gigantic Maillot kite, lifting a weight of 70 kg. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1886

Aviation: The Navigable Balloon Developed by Dupuy de Lome in 1872, Aviation, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century artwork, original date unknown

Steerable war balloon to destroy strongholds using dynamite, General Thayer, historical illustration, circa 1886

Engraving depicting Louis-Sébastien Lenormand parachute. Louis-Sébastien Lenormand (1757-1837) a French chemist, physicist, and inventor. Dated 19th Century

Herschel's telescope Date: 1797

Engraving depicting Laurent de Guzman's balloon. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting Henri Dupuy de Lôme's hydrogen filled airship. Henri Dupuy de Lôme (1816-1885) a French naval architect. Dated 19th Century

Death of the French aviators Godard and Panis when their balloon was struck by lightning over Chicago. From 'Le Petit Journal', 15 July 1891. Accident Ballooning

First manned ascent of a hydrogen balloon, Paris, France, 1 December 1783, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

Tethered balloon built by Henry Giffard in 1867. Woodblock engraving by L. Guiguet after Belloche from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Engraving depicting a balloon falling into the sea. Dated 19th Century

The interior of the astronomical observatory of Washington, United States, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 1920, Volume LXXIV, December 13, 1879.

Ascension of Lunardi's Balloon in Madrid August 12, 1792. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1884

Engraving depicting Constantin Danilewsky's steerable balloon. Dated 20th Century

Ascent made by J.A. Charles (1745-1822) in a hydrogen balloon in the plain of Nesle, l December 1783. From Gaston Tissandier 'Histoire des Ballons', Paris, 1887.

$Refractive optical phenomena observed during a balloon ascension, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 514, Volume XXI, January 1, 1853.$

Demonstration in the garden of the Tuileries, Paris in 1882, of a Marioni printing press worked by the French engineer Abel Pifre's (1852-1928) powered by steam generated by solar heat. Engraving, London, c1890.

Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (1745-1799) inventors of the Montgolfier-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique. Dated 18th Century

Engraving depicting André-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent. André-Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823) a French balloonist and inventor of the frameless parachute. Dated 18th Century

Illustration of an aarostatic air sphere, aerostatic balloon. The illustration shows an early attempt to make balloons maneuverable. At this time aeronauts were experimenting with various mechanisms to influence the direction of flight regardless of the wind, authentic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th-century original, exact date of depiction unknown, historical

Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (1745-1799) inventors of the Montgolfier-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique. Dated 18th Century

Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century

Engraving depicting the ascent of Eugène Godard's balloon 'Eagle' from the Cremorne Gardens, London. Eugène Godard (1827-1890) a French aeronaut. Dated 19th Century

Parachute in 1880, during ascent in closed condition, historical, digital reproduction of an original from the 19th century

American military balloon unit inflating a reconnaissance balloon with hydrogen (1862). The balloons used were of varnished silk and, in spite of a small amount of leakage, they still retained sufficient gas to make ascents some days after their initial inflation. Engraving from 'Astra Castra' by Hatton Turnor (London, 1865).

Air balloon flight in June 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers, Etienne and Joseph, at Annonay. Woodblock engraving by Lara after A. de la Fage from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

MONTGOLFIER, Jacques-Ätienne de (1745-1799). French aeronautical engineer.; MONTGOLFIER, Joseph-Michel (1740-1810). French aeronautical engineer. Drawing of a Montgolfier hot ar balloon dimensions in 1795. Drawing. FRANCE. LE-DE-FRANCE. Paris. Mus_e Carnavalet (Carnavalet Museum).

ASSAY AEROSTATIC BALLOON OF JOSE MONTGOLFIER Y ETIENNE 1740-1810. Author: HERMANOS MONTGOLFIER JOSE 1740-1810 ETIENNE.

Ballooning: four figures. Coloured engraving by Garner.

Balloon ascent by James Glaisher and Henry Coxwell in June 1862 to conduct meteorological observations. Here the balloon is above the clouds. Date: 1862

El Ictíneo, de Narciso Monturiol (1819-1885). Proyecto del submarino, vista lateral. Grabado de 1860.

Engraving depicting Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau's ascent from Dijon. Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau (1737-1816) a French chemist and politician. Dated 18th Century

Eddy's photographic aerial camera on a kite, 1888, England, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th-century print, exact original date unknown

Ballooning: hydrogen barrels and other equipment used in ballooning. Engraving by W. Lowry, 1803.

Engraving depicting Testu-Briss's balloon, which was fitted with paddles in an effort to make the balloon navigable. Dated 18th Century

This large, oblong propeller- driven 'airship' with search lights is seen by hundreds of witnesses over Sacramento, California, during a half-hour period, at about 120m altitude Date: 17 November 1896

Engraving depicting the Smither's navigable balloon. Dated 19th Century

Cartoon depicting Alphonse Louis Poitevin (1819-1882) a French chemist, photographer and civil engineer, hanging a 'new moon' after the old one had fallen. Dated 19th Century

Leturr cleverly solves the problem of getting airborne by releasing himself from a balloon : alas, his design is not so clever, and he plunges fatally to the ground. Date: 1854

$Hevelius's plan for a tower observatory, showing various telescopes, including his 150-ft (16.240m) refracting telescope. From 'Selenographia' by Johannes Hevelius (Gedani, Gdansk, Danzig, 1647). Engraving.$

An engraving depicting the Assan balloon passing over Liege at night. Dated 19th century

General Meusnier's airship project 1783. France, Europe. Old 19th century engraved illustration from La Nature 1888

Engraving depicting Otto Lilienthal flying his glider. Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) a German pioneer of aviation. Dated 19th century

Accident to the Nassau Balloon, between Gravesend and the Nore, Kent, 1850. '...Mr. Green ascended...accompanied by Mr. Rush...for the express purpose of testing the improvements made by that gentleman in the newly-invented aneroid barometer...They lost no time in making the intended experiments...then found themselves sailing rapidly down Sea Reach...Mr. Green...opened the valve, and the car first struck the water about two miles north of Sheerness...they were drawn with considerable rapidity through the river...the...crew of the cutter found great difficulty in securing the balloon; but, b

Jules Verne (1828-1905). French writer. Illustration from the work From the Earth to the Moon, written in 1865. Engraving by Gerard, 19th century.

First manned hydrogen balloon flight of two hours and five minutes by Nicolas-Louis Robert and Professor Jacques Charles. The balloon descended in front of the Duc de Chartres, December 1st 1783. Handcolored engraving by J.J. Ettling and P. Sellier from Sircos and Pallier's "Histoire des Ballons," Roy, Paris, 1870.

Historical illustration from the 19th Century, a giant telescope from a German scholar in the 18th Century, Danzig, now Poland

First voyage in a Montgolfier balloon by Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes, November 1783. Woodblock engraving by Mes after E. Deschamps from Louis Figuier's "Les Merveilles de la Science: Aerostats" (Marvels of Science: Air Balloons), Furne, Jouvet et Cie, Paris, 1868.

Three balloons travel over a polar landscape: proposed method of reaching the North Pole by J.P. Cheyne. Coloured wood engraving by C. Roberts, 1877.

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