Charles Green (balloonist)
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Charles Green born in London 31 January 1785, died 26 March 1870, was the United Kingdom's most famous balloonist of the 19th century. He experimented with coal gas as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to hydrogen for lifting power. His first ascent was in a coal gas balloon on July 19, 1821. He became a professional balloonist and had made 200 ascents by 1835. In 1836, he set a major long distance record in the balloon "Royal Vauxhall", flying overnight from Vauxhall Gardens in London to Weilburg, Duchy of Nassau (Germany) a distance of 480 miles: this record was not broken until 1907. By the time he retired in 1852, he had flown in a balloon more than 500 times.
Green is credited with the invention of the trail rope as an aid to steering and landing a balloon.
A trophy named after him, the "Charles Green Salver", is awarded by the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC) for exceptional flying achievements or contributions in ballooning. Recipients have included Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard for the first round-the-world balloon flight.
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[edit] References
- Bacon, John M. The Dominion of the Air; the story of aerial navigation, Chapters VI-VII, reprint. ISBN 1-4065-0417-3.
