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- Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933 - The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.

- June 30, 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933
The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.
- Jean and Jeannette Piccard and Others with Balloon Gondola before the Stratosphere Flight, Ford Airport, October 23, 1934 - The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a lightweight magnesium gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. The explorers are shown here in the early morning hours just before their launch from Ford Airport, in the midst of media fanfare.

- October 23, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Jean and Jeannette Piccard and Others with Balloon Gondola before the Stratosphere Flight, Ford Airport, October 23, 1934
The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a lightweight magnesium gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. The explorers are shown here in the early morning hours just before their launch from Ford Airport, in the midst of media fanfare.
- Invitation Packet for the Piccard Stratosphere Balloon Flight from Ford Airport, Sent to Henry Ford in September 1934 - The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. William Duckwitz's shortwave radio maintained communication until their landing 400-miles away, in Cadiz, Ohio.

- October 23, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Invitation Packet for the Piccard Stratosphere Balloon Flight from Ford Airport, Sent to Henry Ford in September 1934
The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. William Duckwitz's shortwave radio maintained communication until their landing 400-miles away, in Cadiz, Ohio.
- Souvenir Booklet, "The Piccard Stratosphere Flight from Ford Airport," October 23, 1934 - The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934, with 45,000 spectators in attendance. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. While Jeannette piloted, Jean gathered scientific data.

- October 23, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Souvenir Booklet, "The Piccard Stratosphere Flight from Ford Airport," October 23, 1934
The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934, with 45,000 spectators in attendance. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. While Jeannette piloted, Jean gathered scientific data.
- View of Balloon from Gondola during Piccard Stratosphere Flight, Altitude 57,579 Feet, October 23, 1934 - The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. While Jeannette piloted, Jean gathered scientific data. Balloon is fully inflated here, at 57,579 feet.

- October 23, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
View of Balloon from Gondola during Piccard Stratosphere Flight, Altitude 57,579 Feet, October 23, 1934
The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field on October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. While Jeannette piloted, Jean gathered scientific data. Balloon is fully inflated here, at 57,579 feet.
- After the Stratosphere Balloon Flight by Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns, "A Great Adventure," August 18, 1932 - In the 1930s, scientists began conducting experiments from new heights in balloons. Researchers Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns set an altitude record in 1932 with a flight launched from Dubendorf, Switzerland. They ascended more than 10 miles in a pressurized gondola to gather atmospheric data and measure cosmic rays.

- August 18, 1932
- Collections - Artifact
After the Stratosphere Balloon Flight by Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns, "A Great Adventure," August 18, 1932
In the 1930s, scientists began conducting experiments from new heights in balloons. Researchers Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns set an altitude record in 1932 with a flight launched from Dubendorf, Switzerland. They ascended more than 10 miles in a pressurized gondola to gather atmospheric data and measure cosmic rays.
- Letter from Jeannette Piccard to Edsel Ford regarding the Upcoming Stratosphere Balloon Flight, July 21, 1934 - Henry Ford provided space at Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan, for Jean and Jeannette Piccard's 1934 stratosphere flight. The spouses ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon, setting a new altitude record. Jeannette -- the first American woman licensed as a balloonist and the first woman to reach the stratosphere -- piloted, while Jean gathered scientific data.

- July 21, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Jeannette Piccard to Edsel Ford regarding the Upcoming Stratosphere Balloon Flight, July 21, 1934
Henry Ford provided space at Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan, for Jean and Jeannette Piccard's 1934 stratosphere flight. The spouses ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon, setting a new altitude record. Jeannette -- the first American woman licensed as a balloonist and the first woman to reach the stratosphere -- piloted, while Jean gathered scientific data.
- Letter of Thanks from Jean Piccard to Henry Ford regarding the Recent Stratosphere Balloon Flight, November 20, 1934 - The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. The Piccards were guests of Henry Ford at the Dearborn Inn while Jeannette trained for flight.

- November 20, 1934
- Collections - Artifact
Letter of Thanks from Jean Piccard to Henry Ford regarding the Recent Stratosphere Balloon Flight, November 20, 1934
The Piccard stratosphere flight departed Ford Airport field October 23, 1934. Spouses Jean and Jeannette Piccard ascended 10.9 miles in a metal gondola carried by a hydrogen balloon. Jeannette was the first American woman licensed as a balloonist, and first to reach the stratosphere. The Piccards were guests of Henry Ford at the Dearborn Inn while Jeannette trained for flight.
- Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933 - The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.

- June 30, 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933
The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.
- Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933 - The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.

- June 30, 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Ford V-8 Truck Hauling Balloon Gondola for the Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Ascension, June 6, 1933
The Piccard-Compton Stratosphere Balloon launched in August 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair, piloted by Lt. Commander "Tex" Settle. The magnesium gondola and hydrogen balloon quickly crashed soon after launch due to an open valve. It is shown here in June, hauled by a Ford V-8 truck. Jean and Jeannette Piccard successfully relaunched it in October 1934 from Ford Airport.