Presented By: William L. Clements Library
Up, Up, And Away: A History of Ballooning in America
This exhibit examines the history of balloon flight in the United States from Blanchard’s first ascension to the early twentieth century. In the age of bird’s-eye views, which imagined a perspective on American cities and towns from high in the air, balloonists were the only people who actually had the opportunity to see what the growing nation looked like from above. As the nineteenth century progressed, ballooning became a lucrative (if dangerous) business, as crowds gathered to watch balloons launch, and to see aeronauts risk their lives high in the air. Over time, the image of the hot air balloon proliferated in American print culture, being used to sell goods ranging from thread to canned beef. We hope that this exhibit conveys some of the thrill that would have come from seeing people fly for the first time.
On view May 22-August 28, weekdays from 12-4 pm.
On view May 22-August 28, weekdays from 12-4 pm.
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