Jean Pierre Blanchard, July 1, 1785. Oval portrait of the balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard. Blanchard wears button up coat with collar and hair in 18th century bag-wig style. Blanchard, along with Dr. John Jeffries made the first flight over the English Channel. On January 9, 1793 Blanchard was the first to fly a manned free flying balloon in the United States. His wife, Madeleine Sophie Armant Blanchard was also a professional aeronaut. Born in Petit Andelys, Normandy, in 1750, he was described as "…an unpleasant creature - a petulant little fellow, not many inches over five feet, and physically suited for the vaporish regions." He was also short-tempered, occasionally rude, and courageous to the bone Created by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Date Created 11/23/2021 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Art; Aviation Rights and Restrictions Not determined
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