Celebrations in the Sky
Feb 08, 2017
By Tom Crouch
A wave of enthusiasm for balloons swept across France in the weeks and months following its invention; a true balloonamania. The balloon craze was satirized in prints like the one below. From the beginning, a balloon ascent drew crowds of delighted spectators. During the 19th century no celebration, from a coronation to a bridge dedication, was complete without at least one balloon.
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Can you think of a modern craze that has had a similar impact?
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