NOVA

BEN FRANKLIN’S BALLOONS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 @ 8:00PM & 12:00AM

The first stage in human flight didn’t begin with the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk, but with daring inventors and aeronauts in 18^th century Paris. In a period of just 19 months, humanity not only left the ground for the first time—a moment as significant as the Apollo moon landing—but thanks to a handful of brilliant and colorful pioneers, developed all the essential features of today’s hot air and gas balloons.

FIND OUT MORE »