1870
By J. Glaisher, Camille Flammarion, W. de Fonvielle and Gaston Tissandier
Published by Librairie de L. Hachette et Cie, Paris.

James Glaisher FRS (7 April 1809 – 7 February 1903) was an English meteorologist, aeronaut and astronomer. He is most famous as a pioneering balloonist. Between 1862 and 1866, usually with Henry Tracey Coxwell as his co-pilot, Glaisher made numerous ascents to measure the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere at the greatest altitudes attainable at that time.

Their ascent on 5 September 1862 broke the world record for altitude but he passed out around 8,800 metres (28,900 feet) before a reading could be taken. One of the pigeons making the trip with him died.

Nicolas Camille Flammarion FRAS (1842 – 1925) was a French astronomer and author. He was a prolific author of more than fifty titles, including popular science works about astronomy, several notable early science fiction novels, and works on psychical research and related topics.

Wilfrid de Fonvielle (1824 – 1914) was a French science writer and balloonist.

In 1858 he spent two days in a balloon, and in 1869 he traveled 90 km with Gaston Tissandier in 35 minutes. During the siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War, he escaped from the city in a balloon and went to London.

Gaston Tissandier (1843 – 1899) was a French chemist, meteorologist, aviator, and editor. His interest in meteorology led him to take up aviation. His most adventurous air trip took place near Paris in April 1875. He and companions Joseph Crocé-Spinelli, journalist, and Théodore Sivel, naval officer, were able to reach in a balloon the magnificent altitude of 8,600 meters (28,200 feet). Both of his companions died from breathing the thin air. Tissandier survived, but lost his hearing.

In 1883, Tissandier fitted a Siemens electric motor to an airship, thus creating the first electric-powered flight.

Hachette Livre , or simply Hachette , is a French publishing group founded in 1826 by Louis Hachette . Through its acquisitions, it has been the leading publisher in France since 2004

Ex Library copy.
189mm x 275mm

R3,750