Learn About Balloons Through The Ages
Pictures from sources linked below.
Balloons, balloons, balloons! Life would not be the same at JoJoFun HQ without balloons. With pro balloon decorators, balloon modellers and balloon-a-grams on our team, we love to bring balloon-based fun to multiple events every week. In this week's blog post, we wanted to explore this popular choice for kids parties by answering the questions: Where do balloons come from? Who invented them? What are some of the wacky, non-conventional ways they have been used in the world? Get set to explore all this and more with 10 Fun Facts about Balloons!
1. Michael Faraday invented the rubber balloon in 1824 in London - but before this in 1783 a balloon made of cloth and paper (and later with a rubber varnish) was demonstrated in France by Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier.
2. However, balloons made from pig bladders are pictured in illustrations from as early as the 14th century.
3. Latex balloons are biodegradable - the latex itself comes from rubber trees.
4. Jean-Pierre Blanchard was the first person to fly in a hot-air balloon across the English Channel in 1785.
5. The first passengers on a hot-air balloon were a sheep, cockerel and duck in 1783!
6. The record for the highest altitude ascent in a balloon is held by Felix Baumgartner, who reached 135,889.108 feet!
7. Foil balloons, a popular choice for themed parties, were invented as late as the 1970s.
8. Big balloons are used in scientific research for a variety of purposes. A great use for giant balloons right now is Google's drive to bring the internet to remote places using balloons that carry an internet connection like wifi.
9. The first gas balloon to fly was destroyed by villagers, who were terrified when this strange visitor landed on their doorstep in Gonesse, France!
10. The idea of travelling around the world in a balloon seems like the stuff of fairy tales, but has this feat ever been achieved? Actually, it has - in 1999, Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard were the first to fly around the world in a balloon, completing this dream adventure in 19 days, 21 hours, and 47 minutes.
Sources:
History of Toy Balloon - Who Invented the Rubber Balloon?
Alan Eustace
Interesting facts!
Project Loon
Gas Balloons - History and Invention of First Gas Balloons
Top 10 facts about balloons Toy balloon
