Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder: Hard-working scienticians at the Cold-Air Institute prepare Intrepid IV, their newest cold air balloon.

Though hot air has existed for millions of years it was not harnessed by man until the year 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers first sent aloft a rooster, a bag of corn and a wolf. The first hot air balloon proved a success, but unfortunately the rooster ate the corn and then the rooster was eaten by the wolf which was in turn ingested by the hot air balloon.

Hot air ballooning is more popular than ever, captivating the imaginations of dozens of American citizens. There are more than three hot air ballooning clubs in the United States. There is even an email newsletter related to hot air ballooning sent out every two weeks to nearly 47 subscribers. The US Hot Air Balloon Survey Corps estimates that there are twenty five to thirty hot air balloons in the United States alone. One is even equipped with a capsule and turning vents.
Continue reading →