NAVIGATING THE AIR 



ballcx)n construction, the performances of these toy- 

 balloons were not conclusively demonstrative. 



THE BALLOON INVENTED 



Throughout the entire spring of 1783, all Auvergne, in 

 France, was kept in breathless expectancy by constant 

 rumors that the two Montgolfiers had really solved the 

 problem of aerial flight, and would soon be seen soaring 

 over the country in a strange birdlike machine. Rumor 

 pictured this machine in various forms and sizes, but in 

 point of fact there was really very little secrecy on the 

 part of the inventors themselves, who frankly explained 

 the principle of the balloon they were constructing. It 

 was hardly to be expected, however, that most persons 

 would believe the plain truth that so simple a device as 

 a bag filled with hot air would do what had long been 

 considered impossible. 



Spring advanced and lapsed into summer, however, 

 and as no flying-machine made its appearance, public 

 clamor became so loud that the Montgolfiers felt they 

 could postpone their demonstration no longer, although 

 the balloon they were working on was not completed to 

 their entire satisfaction. Nevertheless, they fixed on the 

 definite date of June 5, (1783) as the day and Annonay 

 as the place for making the trial, and their faith 

 in their invention was shown by the fact that special in- 

 vitations were sent to the leading persons in the vicinity, 

 and a general invitation extended to the world at large. 



But in place of some compUcated and birdHke 

 machine, as rumor had pictured the flying-machine, the 



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