Name/TitleFirst balloon ascent in England, 1784
About this objectThe first balloon ascent in Britain was made by Vincent Lunardi on 15th September 1784 from the training grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company at Moorfields in London. His balloon was filled with hydrogen and he took with him a cat, a dog, a pigeon in a cage, a bottle of wine and a cold chicken. His flight lasted for two hours and fifteen minutes. Lunardi and all the livestock survived the flight.
One of the many slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.
This image is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without prior permission.For a high resolution copy of this image, contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria
Date Madec. 1784 (original image)
Date Made1930-1955 (slide)
Inscription and MarksIn image: "7. THE FIRST BALLOON ASCENT IN ENGLAND / Vincent Lunardi's Ascent from Moorfields, London, in 1784, showing the Flag and "Oar" that he accidentally dropped."
PeriodTo 1834
Object TypeGlass slide
Subject and Association KeywordsCivil aviation
Subject and Association KeywordsBalloons
Subject and Association KeywordsNotable flights
Subject and Association KeywordsFamous aviators
Medium and MaterialsGelatin silver print on glass
Named CollectionImages collection
Object numberGS-USM-02
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
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