‘Father of American Aeronautics’ once flew over the mountains of Lycoming County | News, Sports, Jobs – Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Before he became known as an innovator in the field of hot air ballooning, John Wise, who is considered the Father of American Aeronautics. ascended to the skies over Lycoming County.

On the 24th of July, 1841, John Wise, the famous balloonist, made an ascension from Williamsport which attracted the attention of people from miles around, historian John F. Meginness wrote in an account of the flight.

Wise, a native of Lancaster, was 33 years old when he made his flight here. According to Meginness, it was the balloonists 30th ascension.

The earliest record of a successful manned hot air balloon flight was in 1783 in France, where a balloon made by the Montgolfier brothers first across the Parisian skyline carrying two men about a little over five miles before landing safely. Even before that, man had explored the idea of hot air lifting a balloon off the ground, similar to a Chinese lantern.

According to biographical account in the Lancaster history, John Wise had been interested in flight from an early age. An anecdote on Lancasters historical site said that as a young boy he had even tied his cat to a homemade parachute and observed the cats safe descent from a local church steeple.

Wises first ascension was made in 1835, six years before he soared over the mountains south of Williamsport. In his lifetime Wise was reported to have made 462 balloon ascensions.

The flight here was witnessed by hundreds of spectators, according to Meginness.

The balloon rose gracefully to a great height and then sailed over Bald Eagle mountain and was soon lost to view, the account of the flight stated.

His descent wasnt without drama, as Meginness related it.

He descended in White Deer valley, landing in front of the house of Mr. Deeter, badly frightening two women, who were the only inmates. Mr. Wise succeeded in convincing them that he was not an evil spirit, when they came out and viewed the wonder, Meginness wrote of the event.

Wise with being a part of a balloon corps during the Civil War, flying over Arlington, Virginia, to spy on Confederate forces, according to historical accounts. Wise is also believed to have made the first air mail delivery in 1859.

Unlike most bloodstains of that time period, Wise is reported to have approached ballooning from the perspective of a scientist, conducted experiments in atmospheric pressure and pneumatics during his flights. He was reported to be one of the first people to notice the air flow over the ocean, which we know now as the jet stream, according to a history of aeronautics.

His last flight, in 1879, ended with his balloon landing in Lake Michigan, where it is believed that Wise drowned.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Beginning today, everyone entering Evangelical hospital facilities, including off-site locations, will be required ...

HARRISBURG Pennsylvanias health secretary issued new standards Sunday for cleaning large buildings that ...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The messenger is anonymous but the messages are heartfelt, and appreciated.In recent ...

HARRISBURG Tens of thousands of medical workers across the United States are suddenly out of work as operating ...

Link:

'Father of American Aeronautics' once flew over the mountains of Lycoming County | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette