First Hydrogen Balloon
LEFT
THE PHYSICIST A.C. CHARLES
AND MARIE-NOËL ROBERT
IN THE FLIGHT OF THE FIRST
LARGE HYDROGEN BALLOON.
AERO-CLUB OF FRANCE
Benjamin Franklin described the flight in a letter:
To Sir Joseph Banks
SIR, Passy, Aug. 30. 1783.
A hollow Globe 12 feet diameter was formed of what is called in
England Oiled Silk, here Taffetas gommee, the Silk being
impregnated with a Solution of Gumelastic in Lint-seed Oil, as is
said. The Parts were sewed together while wet with the Gum, and some
of it was afterwards passed over the Seams, to render it as tight as
possible.
It was afterwards filled with the inflammable Air that is
produced by pouring Oil of Vitriol upon Filings of Iron, when it was
found to have a Tendency upwards so strong as to be capable of
lifting a Weight of 39 Pounds, exclusive of its own weight which was
25 lb, and the Weight of the Air contain'd.
It was brought early in the Morning to the Champ de Mars, a
Field in which Reviews are sometimes made, lying between the Military
School and the River. There it was held down by a Cord, till 5 in
the Afternoon, when it was to be let loose. Care was taken before
the Hour to replace what Portion had been lost of the inflammable
Air, or of its Force, by injecting more.
It is supposed that not less than 50,000 People were assembled
to see the Experiment. The Champ de Mars being surrounded by
Multitudes, and vast Numbers on the opposite Side of the River.
At 5 o Clock Notice was given to the Spectators by the Firing
of two Cannon, that the Cord was about to be cut. And presently the
Globe was seen to rise, and that as fast as a Body of 12 feet
diameter with a force only of 39 pounds, could be suppos'd to move
the resisting Air out of its way. There was some Wind, but not very
strong. A little Rain had wet it, so that it shone, and made an
agreable Appearance. It diminish'd in Apparent Magnitude as it rose,
till it enter'd the Clouds, when it seem'd to me scarce bigger than
an Orange, and soon after became invisible, the Clouds concealing it.
The Multitude separated, all well satisfied & much delighted
with the Success of the Experiment, and amusing one another with
Discourses of the various Uses it may possibly be apply'd to, among
which many were very extravagant. But possibly it may pave the Way
to some Discoveries in Natural Philosophy of which at present we have
no Conception.
A Note secur'd from the Weather had been affix'd to the Globe,
signifying the Time & Place of its Departure, and praying those who
might happen to find it, to send an Account of its State to certain
Persons at Paris. No News was heard of it till the next Day, when
Information was receiv'd, that it fell a little after 6 oClock at
Gonesse, a Place about 4 Leagues distance; and that it was rent open,
and some say had Ice in it. It is suppos'd to have burst by the
Elasticity of the contain'd Air when no longer compress'd by so heavy
an Atmosphere.
One of 38 feet Diameter is preparing by M. Mongolfier himself
at the Expence of the Academy, which is to go up in a few Days. I am
told it is constructed of Linen & Paper, and is to be filled with a
different Air, not yet made public, but cheaper than that produc'd by
the Oil of Vitriol of which 200 Paris Pints were consum'd in filling
the other.
It is said that for some Days after its being fill'd, the Ball
was found to lose an eighth Part of its Force of Levity in 24 Hours:
Whether this was from Imperfection in the Tightness of the Ball, or a
Change in the Nature of the Air, Experiments may easily discover.
I thought it my Duty, Sir, to send an early Account of this
extraordinary Fact, to the Society which does me the honour to reckon
me among its Members; and I will endeavour to make it more perfect,
as I receive farther Information.
P. S. Since writing the above, I am favour'd with your kind
Letter of the 25'th. I am much oblig'd to you for the Care you have
taken to forward the Transactions, as well as to the Council for so
readily ordering them on Application. -- Please to accept and present
my Thanks.
I just now learn, that some Observers say, the Ball was 150
seconds in rising, from the Cutting of the Cord till hid in the
Clouds; that its height was then about 500 Toises, but, mov'd out of
the Perpendicular by the Wind, it had made a Slant so as to form a
Triangle, whose base on the Earth was about 200 Toises. It is said
the Country people who saw it fall were frightened, conceiv'd from
its bounding a little when it touch'd the Ground, that there was some
living Animal in it, and attack'd it with Stones and Knives, so that
it was much mangled; but it is now brought to Town & will be
repaired. --
The great one of M. Mongolfier, is to go up as is said, from
Versailles, in about 8 or 10 Days. It is not a Globe but of a
different form, more convenient for penetrating the Air. It contains
50,000 cubic Feet, and is supposed to have a Force of Levity equal to
1500 pounds weight. A Philosopher here, M. Pilatre de Rozier, has
seriously apply'd to the Academy for Leave to go up with it, in order
to make some Experiments. He was complimented on his Zeal and
Courage for the Promotion of Science, but advis'd to wait till the
Management of these Balls was made by Experience more certain & safe.
They say the filling of it in M. Mongolfier's Way will not cost more
than half a Crown. One is talk'd of to be 110 feet Diameter.
Several Gentlemen have ordered small ones to be made for their
Amusement; one has ordered four of 15 feet diameter each; I know not
with what Purpose; but such is the present Enthusiasm for promoting &
improving this Discovery, that probably we shall soon make
considerable Progress in the Art of constructing and Using the
Machines. --
Among the Pleasantries Conversation produces on this Subject,
some suppose Flying to be now invented, and that since Men may be
supported in the Air, nothing is wanted but some light handy
Instruments to give and direct Motion. Some think Progressive Motion
on the Earth may be advanc'd by it, and that a Running Footman or a
Horse slung & suspended under such a Globe so as to leave no more of
Weight pressing the Earth with their Feet, than perhaps 8 or 10
Pounds, might with a fair Wind run in a straight Line across
Countries as fast as that Wind, and over Hedges, Ditches, & even
Waters. It has been even fancied that in time People will keep such
Globes anchored in the Air, to which by Pullies they may draw up Game
to be preserved in the Cool, & Water to be frozen when Ice is wanted.
And that to get Money, it will be contrived to give People an
extensive view of the Country, by running them upon an Elbow Chair a
Mile high for a Guinea, &c. &c.
A Pamphlet is printing in which we are to have a full and
perfect Account of the Experiments hitherto made, & I will send it to
you. M. Mongolfier's Air to fill the Globe has hitherto been kept
secret. Some suppose it to be only common Air heated by passing
thro' the Flame of burning Straw, & thereby extreamly rarified. If
so its Levity will soon be diminished by Condensation when it comes
into the cooler Regions above.
Sept. 2d. -- I add this paper just now given me, B. F. The
print contains a view of Champ de Mars, and the ball in the air with
this subscription:
Experience de la machine aerostatique de M'essrs. de
Montgolfier, d'Anonai en Vivarais, reepetee a Paris le 27 Aout. 1783
au Champ de Mars, avec un ballon de taffetas enduit de gomme
elastique, de 36 pieds 6 onces de circonference. Le ballon plein
d'air inflammable a ete execute par Mons. Robert, en vertu d'une
souscription nationale, sous la direction de Mr. Faujas de Saint Fond
(et M. Charles).
N. B. -- M. Charles' name is wrote with pen, not engraved.
Calculas du Ballon do 12 pieds de diametre enleve le Mercredy
27 Aout 1783.
L'air atmospherique dont le ballon occupait la place, pesant 83
lb. 4 onces et sa force pour s'elever etant de 40 lb. il falloit que
son enveloppe et l'air inflammable qu'elle contenoit ne pesassent que
42 lb. 4 onces. L'enveloppe en pesoit 25, reste pour l'air
inflammable 18 lb. 4 onces.
En supposant le ballon de 6 pieds de diametre, son volume etant
le 8me, du ier le poids de l'air dont il occupoit la place seroit le
8me, de 83 lb., 4 onces = 10 lb., 6 onces, 4 gros. L'air inflammable
1/8 de 18 lb., 4 onces = 2 lb., 4 onces, 4 gros. L'enveloppe 1/4 de
25 lb., = 6 lb., 4 onces. Les dernieres valeurs reunies sont 8 lb.,
8 onces, 4 gros, qui otes de 10 lb., 6 onces, 4 gros pesanteur de
l'air atmospherique dont le ballon occupoit la place, laisse pour sa
force d'elevation 1 lb., 14 onces.
On Wednesday the 27'th Instant, the new aerostatic Experiment,
invented by Mess'rs. Mongolfier of Annonay was repeated by M'r.
Charles; Professor of Experimental Philosophy at Paris.
With great Respect, I am, Sir,
Circonference du grand cercle. 37 pieds Diametre...................... 12 74 37 Surface ..................... 444 Tiers du rayon ............... 2 Solidite ..................... 888 Air atm. a 12 gros le pied ... 12 1776 888 Pesanteur de l'air atm.. ..... 10,656
26 { 8 /16 { ____ ounces ___ 25, { 1332 /83 lb., 4 ounces 6 52