Piccard Stratosphere Balloon Ready to Launch from Ford Airport, October 23, 1934

THF231517 / Piccard Stratosphere Balloon Ready to Launch from Ford Airport, October 23, 1934
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Artifact Overview

The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. In this image, taken before sunrise from what is likely a dirigible mooring mast, the deflated balloon and gondola await their launch. Visible in the distance is the Henry Ford Museum's clocktower.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

23 October 1934

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

P.188.11598.A

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in
Width: 11 in

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  • Jean and Jeannette Piccard and Others with Balloon Gondola before the Stratosphere Flight, Ford Airport, October 23, 1934 (detail)
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    A Flight of Firsts: The Piccard Stratosphere Ascension

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    In October 1934, Jean and Jeannette Piccard set a new altitude record, ascending 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette -- the first American woman licensed as a balloonist -- piloted, while Jean gathered scientific data. On this historic flight, Jeannette became the first woman to reach the stratosphere.