Fun

On January 9, 1793, the first manned flight in America took place in Philadelphia, with President George Washington in attendance. Here is a first-person account written the day after, as recorded in The Principles, History & Use of Air-Balloons, which the Mudd has access to.

Mr. Blanchard, the bold aeronaut, agreeably to his advertisement, at five minutes past ten o’clock yesterday morning, rose with a balloon from the Prison Court in this city, in presence of an immense concourse of spectators there assembled on the occasion. The process of inflating the balloon commenced about nine o’clock. Several cannon were fired from the dawn of day until the moment of elevation. A band of music played during the time of inflating; and, when it began to rise, the majestical sight was truly awful and interesting. The slow movement of the band added solemnity to the scene. Indeed the attention of the multitude was so absorbed, that it was a considerable time ere silence was broke by the acclamations which succeeded.

          As soon as the clock had struck ten, every thing being practically ready, Mr. Blanchard took a respectful leave of all the spectators, and received from the hands of the President a paper; at the same time the President spoke a few words to this bold adventurer, who was immediately leaped into his boat, which was painted blue and spangled. The balloon was of a yellowish colored silk, highly varnished, over which there was a strong net-work. Mr. Blanchard was dressed in a plain blue suit, a cocked hat, and white feathers. As soon as he was in the boat, he threw out some ballast, and the balloon began to ascend slowly and perpendicularly. After a few minutes, the wind blowing from the northward and westward, the balloon rose to an immense height, and then shaped its course towards the southward and eastward. Several gentlemen galloped down the point road, but soon left sight of it, for it moved at the rate of 20 miles an hour.

          Great numbers, who had neglected to purchase tickets, were afflicted with considerable regret at not having been immediately present in the Prison Court to see the preparations, and to witness the undaunted countenance of the man who thus sublimely dared to soar through the regions of the air. Anxiety for the safety of the aeronaut was painted on every face from the time citizens lost sight of him, and various were the conjectures as to the place where he would descend.

          About half after six o’clock last evening we were happy to meet Mr. Blanchard again in this city, going to pay his respects to the President of the United States. He informed us that his aerial voyage lasted 46 minutes, in which time he ran over a space of more than 15 miles. And the descended a little to the eastward of Woodbury in the states of New Jersey, where he took a carriage and returned to Cooper’s Ferry, and was at the President’s at half past six o’clock last evening.

Oi, it seemed like the winter break would never end. Now back to business.

Today begins the IARP/EURON Workshop on Robotics for Risky Interventions and Environmental Surveillance. On this site you will find terms like “suitable modularised mechanised structure” (possibly the right size robot?,) “suspected or real disaster” and “swarm of robots.” This site was last modified “on 06/01/2008” so there’s some time travel involved, too.

The Mudd has much on robotics. Robots. Is there anything can’t they do?