Title
Plate decorated with Blainville engineer's balloon
Caption
Made in Nevers
Blainville engineer's balloon
Polychrome faience with curved edging (diameter 23 cm)
Muller-Quênot Collection
Info+
This plate recaptures the engraving that has appeared since 1783 on the frontispice of the "Considérations sur le globe aérostatique de M. D..." published by Lejay and kept in the French National Library. The Montgolfier brothers had added a stove to the base of the balloon to maintain a continuous temperature. This was fuelled by gas generated in a cylinder by a succession of gun powder explosions. Two paddles were used to steer the craft using its vertical movements caused by the compression of gas contained in a dome shaped reservoir, situated underneath the gondola. A rudder completed the device to direct the balloon's flight.
Date
18th century
Credit line
Photo12/Association Muller Quenot Rosheim
Reference
MQR10A00_096
License type
Rights managed
Available size
68,8Mb (2,9Mb) / 16,5in x 16,1in / 4961 x 4844 (300dpi)