The Oh, Welcome to 1001 Classic classic short stories and tales.

Jack London wrote

An Adventure in the Upper Sea in 1906,

the same year that Wilbur and Orville Wright

were finally granted a patent on their new flying machine, which had taken flight in 1903, becoming the first powered craft to fly.

The subject of today's story, The Hot Air Balloon,

originated in China centuries ago and is today one of the most recognizable leisure

transports in the world.

The first manned and untethered balloon took flight on November 21st, 1783,

when French scientist Jean-Francois Pilatra de Rousier and balloon pioneer

Francois Laurent darlans took off from the center of Paris and flew to the

suburbs making a journey of around 25 minutes.

The event was witnessed by one of the founding fathers of the USA and fellow scientist

Benjamin Franklin.

He described the liftoff as the most majestic and described how the adventurers lowered their hats

in salute to the watching spectators.

Contemporary reports claimed that over 400,000 spectators watched the launch.

Many even paid toward the venture.

Unfortunately, De Rosieur would lose his life in another balloon endeavor.

He attempted to cross the English Channel in 1785.

His hydrogen and hot air balloon crashed in the attempt. Although balloon rides are considered very safe today.

There have been disasters in the past and this short story by Jack London provides a

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