Ballooning as a Sport Major B. Baden-Powell

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTION. I Fear that the matter contained in these pages may appear somewhat egotistical, but I must explain the situation. This matter is but a r/chauffd of a few articles, mostly written some years ago. At that time there were not many other amateur aeronauts--now they exist by the dozen. During the last year or two ballooning has become very popular: several keen and energetic advocates have taken up the subject (always one which appeals to the public); the Aero Club has been founded, and the sport now b has a recognised footing. Why all this should so suddenly come about I cannot say, for there has been no special improvement in the machine itself, nor has any new use for it been found. The only wonder is, that it was not more keenly taken up before. But already the past history of the sport, such as it is, seems to be forgotten. A new school has arisen which knows not its Joseph. It may not be out of place, therefore, to relate shortly some of the events of what we may call the middle ages of ballooning, especially as regards the various clubs and institutions which i have flourished and dwindled and are now forgotten. It is not worth while giving any account of the early dawn of ballooning in England: of Lunardi, who made the first ascent; of Blanchard, the first professional; of Green, who popularised the sport so much in the 'thirties; or even of Coxwell, who made such memorable ascents with Glaisher (although I had a chance of an ascent with him). I shall speak, therefore, only of the period during which I became smitten with this fascinating pursuit. It was in 1880 that I first witnessed an ascent, and got to know some of the aeronauts of the day. In that year I joined the Aeronautical Society, --which, by the way, was then rather laughed at...