Basil Smith: Piccard Hot Air Balloon

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Like his twin brother, Auguste, Jean Piccard was interested from an early age in high-altitude balloon flight. He moved to the United States in 1926 and continued to collaborate with his brother in the development of the stratosphere balloon. Following his brother's record high altitude flights, Jean and his wife made a balloon ascension from Dearborn, Michigan, on October 23, 1934 and reached an altitude of 57,979 feet. During the course of this flight, they carried out cosmic ray research and tested a liquid oxygen system. As a result of the experience gained on his flight, Piccard was instrumental in the development of a liquid oxygen converter for use in balloons and high flying aircraft. In 1936, he developed and launched the first plastic film balloon, which was the forerunner of modern balloons. He later devised the multiple balloon concept and in 1937, made the first manned ascent utilizing polyethylene high altitude balloons which permitted successful manned flights to altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet. His inventiveness continued with the development of various aerospace devices, including a remote pyrotechnic actuating device and frost-free aircraft windows. Jean Piccard retired in 1952, and died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 28, 1963. Jean Piccard was inducted along with his twin pioneering brother into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame on September 14, 1991.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Piccard Hot Air Balloon.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB09997

US$ Price: $950.00

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