The Balloonists: The History of the First Aeronauts

by L.T.C. Rolt, Don Cameron (Foreword by)

First published in 1966 as The A History of Ballooning 1783-1903 , this book is a complete history of balloons and the intrepid men who flew in them. Beginning in 1783, the year in which balloons first took flight, it ends in 1903, the year in which the Wright Brothers first heavier-than-air flight at Kittyhawk changed the history of aviation for ever. The exploits of balloonists attracted the attention and admiration of the masses like nothing within weeks of the first flights, its form featured in designs of wallpaper and fabrics, in jewels and on snuff boxes, and as balloon clocks and chandeliers. The aeronauts themselves became heroes of their time. From the first flight, by the Montgolfier brothers in a balloon of paper and cloth, through the first Channel crossing by air, showman aeronauts, female aeronauts, efforts to cross the Atlantic and the use of balloons in war, this is a wholly fascinating and riveting book. Lightly and entertainingly written, it includes lively extracts from journals and contemporary accounts, as well as engravings of the period. This new edition has a foreword by one of the foremost aeronauts of today, Don Cameron.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Lionel Thomas Caswall Rolt (usually abbreviated to Tom Rolt or L.T.C. Rolt) was a prolific English writer and the biographer of major civil engineering figures including Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Thomas Telford. He is also regarded as one of the pioneers of the leisure cruising industry on Britain's inland waterways, and as an enthusiast for both vintage cars and heritage railways.

Reviews

[James Kirk]

Good historical accounting as relates to the invention and development of lighter-than-air crafts. Author could have used an occasional comma to help distinguish his thought process within his generally long sentence structure.

As an initial primer to learn about hot air ballooning, this is certainly a must-read.

[John Hancock]

Really interesting, especially for anyone who has been up in a balloon.