Time Surfing: Experience History.
Historical Backdrop
In 1783, France was ruled by Louis XVI, while the newly independent United States still had Benjamin Franklin serving as its representative in Paris. That summer, Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier proved that heated air could lift a fabric balloon. Animals flew at Versailles in September, and men made short tethered ascents in October.
On November 21, Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent, Marquis d’Arlandes, attempted something new: a flight with every restraining rope released. Their balloon stood about 70 French feet high and 46 feet wide, with a wicker gallery surrounding its open base rather than a modern basket hanging underneath. An iron grate burned straw and other fuel directly below the enormous paper-lined fabric envelope.
November 21, 1783, 7:20 a.m. — Carriage court of the Château de la Muette, Passy, western edge of Paris
The marquis steps down from his carriage into mud left by yesterday’s rain. Near the bare trees, the balloon waits in a heap of blue cloth, gold paint, ropes, and wicker. The thing that will carry him over Paris does not yet look capable of carrying itself.
November 21, 1783, 8:35 a.m. — Formal garden of the Château de la Muette
D’Arlandes walks the length of the wicker gallery with Pilâtre de Rozier. They test the fire ports, water buckets, ropes, and fuel baskets. Every control comes down to the same choice: burn more or burn less.
November 21, 1783, 10:15 a.m. — Launch enclosure, Château de la Muette
Workers raise the mouth of the balloon over the grate. Smoke rolls into the cloth, and the painted skin begins to stir. Men pull on ropes while hot ash lands on their sleeves.
November 21, 1783, 11:35 a.m. — Garden enclosure, Château de la Muette
Carriages keep arriving though the experiment was not meant to become a public show. Courtiers, scientists, servants, and laborers press toward the ropes. Benjamin Franklin watches the balloon with the still face of a man who knows a revolution when he sees one.
November 21, 1783, about 12:25 p.m. — Northern garden walk, Château de la Muette
A gust drives the balloon sideways. The wicker gallery catches in the cut branches of a garden walk, and the huge envelope leans over its own fire. For a few seconds, the first flight nearly ends on the ground.
November 21, 1783, 12:50 p.m. — Launch lawn, Château de la Muette
