Balloon of M.N. Robert and Charles
Dates
- c. 1783-1814
Conditions Governing Use
Access to the Theodore Newton Vail Collection of Aeronautical Images, Broadsides and Clippings is not authorization to publish. Separate written application for permission to publish must be made to the Institute Archives. Copyright of some items in this collection may be held by respective creators, not by the donor of the collection.
Biographical / Historical
“The Globe” was a balloon designed by Jacques Alexandre César (J.A.C.) Charles, and constructed by brothers Jean and Noel Robert. It was the first balloon to be publicly inflated using hydrogen gas instead of the hot-air method employed by the Montgolfiers. Hydrogen balloons of this type became known as “charlier” balloons. The ascent on December 1, 1783 was made by Charles and Marie-Noel Robert from the Royal pond at Tuileries Gardens and ended 27 miles away at the Prairie de Nesle. Following their landing, Robert left the balloon and Charles ascended again by himself.
Language of Materials
English
Existence and Location of Originals
Box 19
Physical Description
Other
Dimensions
2 pages; 27.8 x 21.4 cm(page both columns attached to), 19.5 x 8.5 cm(long column), 12.3 x 7.7 cm(column with illustration and notation)
General Note
Article about the first hydrogen-filled balloon ascension by J.A.C. Charles and M.N. Robert on Dec. 1, 1783, with a description of the balloon measurements.
Sources used for Biographical/Historical note
Crouch, Tom D., The Eagle Aloft, Two Centuries of the Balloon in America (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., 1983)
- Balloonists Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Balloons (aircraft) Subject Source: Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
- Charles, Jacques Alexandre César, 1746-1823
- Robert, M. N. (Marie-Noël), 1761-1826
- clippings (information artifacts) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Repository Details
Part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Libraries. Department of Distinctive Collections Repository
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries
Building 14N-118
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139-4307 US
distinctive-collections@mit.edu