Images Dated 14th June 2012

Sophie Blanchard in balloon ascent, Milan

Sophie Blanchard (1778-1819), famous French aeronaut, in a night-time balloon ascent performed in Milan, Italy, in the presence of Napoleon, to mark his 42nd birthday.
15 August 1811

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans

1811, 42nd, Aeronaut, Air, Ascent, August, Ballooning, Birthday, Blanchard, Famous, Female, Flight, French, Gondola, Italy, Milan, Napoleon, Night, Performed, Presence, Sophie, Standing, Transport, Transportation, Woman

Chocolate Easter Egg

Preparations for Easter are already in full swing. The final touches are added to a beautifullly decorated egg at a chocolate factory near London. Date: 3 February 1933

© Mary Evans Picture Library

1933, Added, Beautifullly, Bow, Chocolate, Confectionery, Customs, Decorated, Easter, Egg, Eggs, Factory, February, Final, Full, Preparations, Swing, Tie, Touches

Balloon descent at Gonesse, France

The first trial hydrogen balloon which ascended from the Champ de Mars, and descended in the village of Gonesse, north east of Paris. Writhing with the slow expulsion of its malodorous impure hydrogen, it terrified the inhabitants, who attacked it with guns and pitchforks, and tied it to the tail of a horse which they drove off over the field.
27 August 1783

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans