I was reminded that I still have to read this gem of a book, Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Vernes.Ever since watching the 2004 film version with Jackie Chan I was wanting to read the original.
The even more appealing thing about this book for me is that it is considered to be early steampunk (Victorian sci-fi fantasy genre).
What books have you come across with balloon flight?
OK, so this post was prompted by a news blip about a real balloon boy of the past, Bill Crawford. In 1933, at age 4, Bill's father strapped him in a harness which was attached to a 15 ft. wide helium balloon as part of a way to draw attention to air shows throughout Ohio.
I had a nice flight today. -says 4yr Bill
Check out the footage of one of Bill's adventures that went awry.
I'm In A Box
This balloon hoax parody rocksss!
Sums up the situation quite nicely with a good rapping beat.
Give it a listen and tell me whatcha think --> thunk.
Please do give this a listen. Y'all have been giving me good comments on balloon rides but this video is pretty good wordplay on this issue.
And just in, Fishmuffins of Doom has found:
Edgar Allan Poe's 1844 Balloon Hoax article.
Excerpt:
This is unquestionably the most stupendous, the most interesting, and the most important undertaking, ever accomplished or even attempted by man. What magnificent events may ensue, it would be useless now to think of determining.
I've always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride and am seriously considering going to watch a balloon festival lift-off next year. Have you ever been?
