Made in the 1950s, this U.S. Navy produced documentary is about the history of “lighter than air” flight in the 19th Century. It opens with Thaddeus Lowe, the father of U.S. military aerial reconnaissance. During the Civil War, Lowe staged a balloon ascent near the Smithsonian Institute in Washington (:16) and convinced US leaders of aerial observations’ advantages (:22). Lowe organized a Union Balloon Corps (:51). James Allen (1:51) serving for the Northern Army, first ascended on June 9th, 1861 in Washington (2:11). John Wise (2:21) is shown as well as his self-designed balloon on July 16th, 1861 (2:47). The first military balloon, it included armor plate in the bottom of the basket (3:04). Balloons are towed by troops (3:28) on a mission to travel across the Potomac. The balloons were destroyed by accidental collision with trees (3:31). Three days later, Chief Aeronaut Lowe made his first military ascent (3:54) in the “Enterprise” (3:59). He rose 3 and ½ miles without tethering lines (4:10) and watched Confederate troop movements without taking fire. As he attempted to land, Northern troops mistakenly fired at him, forcing him to land behind enemy lines (4:32). His wife spotted his balloon and rescued him (4:56). In Fort Monroe, Virginia, Northern troops were surrounded by Confederates (5:12). At the request of General Benjamin Butler, balloonist John LaMountain made several ascents and observed Confederate operations (5:36). On August 3rd, 1861, LaMountain’s balloon launched from the steam tug Fanny (5:57) at Hampton Roads, Virginia (6:02). This demonstrated the compatibility between air ship and sea vessel (6:22). One issue was keeping balloons inflated (7:06). Secretary Henry of the Smithsonian recommended using portable hydro-gas generators (7:38). A sketch of the design (7:52) is followed by the completed equipment (8:17). A scale model of the first carrier designed to transport the balloons is shown (8:52) and the completed model in the spring of 1862 on the Potomac (9:30). The balloon called Washington (9:38) was one of seven operating under Thaddeus Lowe’s command. A photograph of the portable gas containers in use during the Battle of Four Oaks follows (9:59) and the famous balloon Intrepid (10:30). The Confederates had a balloon called the “Silk Dress” made from silk pieces (11:14). On July 4th, 1862 a Confederate balloon was captured through the aide of Lowe’s observations (11:52). After General George B. McClellan was relieved of command in 1862, Thaddeus Lowe faced a pay cut and harsh conditions (12:28). Lowe resigned after being stricken with fever (12:43). James Allen, who replaced him, also later resigned (12:45). The next use of balloons was during the Franco-Prussian war (13:30). Salomon August Andrée (14:08) in 1895, announced plans to take a balloon on expedition to the North Pole. Alfred Nobel, whom had established the five types of the Nobel Prize, became the first financial contributor (14:17). On June of 1896, Andree left aboard the freighter Virgo (14:24). Due to unsuitable weather conditions the project was postponed (15:02). Andree and companions began their trip on July 11th 1897 (15:33). After 65 hours the balloon fell onto the ice (16:31) 500 miles from the North Pole. Messages that had made it out about their journey are shown (16:48) though their fate remained a mystery. Their campsite and diaries weren’t discovered until 1930. A montage follows of various steering methods (18:51). Jean Baptiste Meusnier created the first steering wheel (19:01) and his design is shown (19:18) though it was never constructed. Solomon Andrews (20:55) developed the idea for using a slanting plate for steering and sent his ideas to President Lincoln (22:15). They never reached the president and the idea was abandoned (22:28). 20 years earlier in France, the first steered airship was developed using mechanical power (22:59). It took flight on September 24th, 1852 (23:13). Other attempts included the Le France which was the first that was able to steer and return to its starting location (24:18). Another inventor, Schwartz, used an aluminum tube framework and sheets of aluminum on the outside (25:31). Rufus M. Porter (25:54) introduced a scale model of his plan. One of his shares of stocks sold is pictured (26:15) though the full model was not constructed. Charles F. Ritchel’s model was first to be constructed and carry a man in 1878 (26:33). The End. Naval Photographic Center (27:56).

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