tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884640.post1990399241731502826..comments2024-03-22T03:13:15.710-07:00Comments on Engineering Ethics Blog: Space Station Scores a Scientific Hit—MaybeKaydeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15055360323969104129noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23884640.post-39010689406863589572013-05-04T16:53:49.871-07:002013-05-04T16:53:49.871-07:00Just a quibble, but a couple of days ago I was Goo...Just a quibble, but a couple of days ago I was Googling stuff to check out the same Franklin quote, and it doesn't seem that BF witnessed the first manned balloon ascent. (Possibly he did, he was in the right city at the right time, but it wasn't mentioned in what I saw.)<br /><br />What's more interesting is that Franklin attended the very first unmanned hydrogen balloon ascent, and contributed towards a manned balloon ascent. A couple months later the Montgofier brothers made the first manned hot-air balloon ascent, which carried the first aerialist about five miles. And a couple months after that, Franklin was an honored attendee at the first manned hydrogen balloon ascent, which traveled about 25 miles. <br /><br />So, Franklin was one of the first to witness a balloon flight, if not THE first balloon flight. And I'd guess the use of US government funds for furthering progress in aerospace began at that time.<br /><br />Good for Old Ben!mike shupphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08383379836883992742noreply@blogger.com