Description des expériences de la machine aérostatique de MM. de Montgolfier (Paris: Cuchet, 1783).

• 1783
• Barthélemy Faujas-de-St.-Fond
  Paris
• 23 cm H
• Rare Book Storage
• Neville Rare Book Collection
• RGNb10360402

Description

The fall of 1783 saw a rash of ballooning experiments in Paris.  Franklin witnessed the first unmanned balloon ascend in Paris, and later signed his name to a report witnessing the first ascent of human passengers in a free balloon.  He famously remarked when onlookers questioned the ultimate utility of ballooning, “Eh! à quoi bon l’enfant qui vient de naître?” (“What use is a newborn baby?”)