Ballooning - by S L Kotar & J E Gessler (Paperback)

About the Book

The history of the hot air balloon is a fascinating one including much trial and error, scientific research and bold adventure. This book chronicles not only the development and advances in the sport and transportation method but also provides insights into the people who developed the sport--many of whom lost their lives in the process. It traces the history of ballooning from Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier's first experiments with a paper balloon in Annonay, France, in 1782, continuing through the next several decades, when the sport's waning novelty forced aeronauts to develop bigger, better and more dangerous tricks. It concludes at the beginning of the 20th century, when the age of the airplane rendered hot air balloons all but obsolete for nonrecreational applications.

Book Synopsis

The hot air balloon has a fascinating history of much trial and error, scientific research and bold adventure. This book chronicles the development and advances in the endeavor and also provides insights into the people who developed the sport--many of whom lost their lives in the process. The book traces the history of ballooning from the Montgolfier brothers' first experiments with a paper balloon in Annonay, France, in 1782, through the next several decades, when the sport's waning novelty forced aeronauts to develop bigger, better and more dangerous tricks. It concludes at the beginning of the 20th century, when the age of the airplane rendered hot air balloons all but obsolete.

Review Quotes

"recommended"-Choice; "well informed....replete with firsthand accounts...an enjoyable account"-Reference & Research Book News.

About the Author

S.L. Kotar of St. Louis has been writing (together with J.E. Gessler) for more than four decades, beginning with scripts for television's Gunsmoke. The late J.E. Gessler lived in St. Louis.