THE ASCENSION OF MONTGOLFIER’S BALLOON
“Don’t interrupt Uncle Sam; it is not polite,” advised Jack.
“Well,” continued Uncle Sam, “it was on June 5, 1783 that Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier, two French brothers, sent up the first balloon. You can just imagine the amazement it caused when it arose from the ground.
“Many successful experiments were made with balloons; but they were harder to run than old-time sailboats. A balloon could not fly against the wind. In a storm or a heavy gale it would be wrecked and the passengers killed. A machine was needed that could speed against the wind and not upset in a heavy blow.
“A few inventors tried to solve the flying problem with motor-driven balloons such as the German Zeppelin. But most attention was given to heavier-than-air machines known as aeroplanes. Aeroplanes are called heavier-than-air to distinguish them from balloons, which, being inflated with gas, are lighter than air. There were many discouraging years of hard thought and labor before success came. Finally, in 1905, two American brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, invented the first successful flying machine; and in a series of marvelous flights showed that Man had, at last, rivaled the birds.
“Numerous inventions have made man almost the equal of the birds in the air. Flying has been made nearly as safe as riding on horseback or in an automobile. The aeroplane is now a necessity in times of war and peace. Its startling deeds will be the subject of the story I’m about to tell.
“Of course, you want to know something about the man who runs an aeroplane,” said Uncle Sam.
“Indeed, we do,” replied both boys at the same time.