Expérience de la Machine Aréostatique, August 27, 1783. Vue d'optique print depicts a scene of a mass crowd watching J.A.C. Charles' first small hydrogen balloon, popularly known as "The Globe," taking off from Champ de Mars in Paris, France. The École Militaire is visible to the front. The site is now the location of the Eiffel Tower. It was on this occasion that Benjamin Franklin overheard another onlooker remark that while the balloon was interesting, it was of little practical value. Franklin responded with one of the most famous of his bon mottes: "Of what use is a new borne babe?" Captions below the image are in both French and German. A Vue d'optique print such as this is used in a device called a zograscope, which gives the viewer a sense of depth perception and a perspective view. Created by Digitized by Kelby Cox Date Created 02/03/2021 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Art; Aviation Rights and Restrictions Not determined
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