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Today most balloon baskets are still made of wicker and leather. To decrease weight, aluminum has replaced wood in the basket frames. In 1971, Mike Adams

designed this rugged wicker basket. The sculptured corners safely house the fuel tanks while steel suspension cables are woven into the sides, adding rigidity.

Display Status

This object is on display in Thomas W. Haas We All Fly at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Thomas W. Haas We All Fly

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

CRAFT-Balloon

Physical Description

Square balloon basket with wood base and protruding, rounded corners. Metal frame, covered in suede trim, attaches to each corner and meets at the top burner. Aluminum liquid petroleum gas (lpg) tanks are strapped to each interior corner. Interior also features suede bag, champagne bag, and wooden panel with compass, altimeter, and speed indicator.

Dimensions

3-D: 119.4 × 116.8 × 254cm (3 ft. 11 in. × 3 ft. 10 in. × 8 ft. 4 in.)

Materials

Wicker
Leather
Suede
Wood
Aluminum
Steel
Non-Magnetic metal alloy
Paint
Cotton
Rubber

Inventory Number

A19761156000

Credit Line

Donated by Mike Adams' and Balloon Loft

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.