Wicked Balloons Journal
Tag: ballooning history
Wild and Record-Setting Balloon Stunts
From transatlantic crossings to nonstop circumnavigations, explore the greatest hot air balloon world records ever set.
10 Milestones That Shaped Ballooning History
Explore the hot air balloon history timeline, from the Montgolfier brothers' 1783 flight to the first nonstop trip around the world.
The Longest Hot Air Balloon Flights on Record
The hot air balloon distance record stands at 25,360 miles nonstop around the world. Discover the flights and pilots behind aviation's great…
Solar Balloons and the Future of Flight
How a solar hot air balloon flies on sunlight alone, and why the idea is inspiring research from backyard flyers to planetary…
Ballooning Over Massachusetts: Where to Fly
A pilot's guide to hot air balloon rides in Massachusetts, from the best regions and seasons to fly to what a sunrise…
Ballooning in Literature: From Verne to Poe
Explore how hot air balloons in literature shaped classic tales from Jules Verne's daring voyages to Poe's famous balloon hoax.
The Champagne Toast: A 240-Year-Old Ballooning Tradition
Discover why the hot air balloon champagne toast dates back to 1783, and what to expect when you raise a glass after…
Ed Yost and the Birth of the Modern Hot Air Balloon
Who invented the modern hot air balloon? Meet Ed Yost, the Nebraska engineer whose 1960 flight created the design every balloon still…
Jean-Pierre Blanchard and the First Balloon Flight in America
The first balloon flight in America lifted off in 1793 with George Washington watching. Here's the true story of Jean-Pierre Blanchard's historic…
The Piccard Family: Ballooning to the Stratosphere
How an Auguste Piccard balloon reached the stratosphere in 1931 and launched three generations of Piccard family exploration.