Jean-Pierre Blanchard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean-Pierre Blanchard
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Jean-Pierre Blanchard, engraving after a portrait by Richard Livesay
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| Born | 4 July 1753 |
| Died | 7 March 1809 (aged 55) |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Inventor |
| Known for | Ballooning |
| Spouse(s) | Victoire Lebrun {abandoned} Marie Madeleine-Sophie Armant |
Jean-Pierre Blanchard (born July 4, 1753 – died March 7, 1809) was a French inventor. He is best known as a pioneer in balloon flight. He made history by being the first person to cross the English Channel in a balloon. This amazing flight happened on January 7, 1785.
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Early Balloon Flights
Jean-Pierre Blanchard made his first successful balloon flight in Paris on March 2, 1784. He used a hydrogen gas balloon that took off from the Champ de Mars.
Before Blanchard's flight, other important balloon flights had already happened. The first successful flight with people in a balloon was on November 21, 1783. Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes flew in a hot air balloon made by the Montgolfier brothers. The first flight in a hydrogen balloon with people was on December 1, 1783. Professor Jacques Charles and Nicolas-Louis Robert flew their balloon, called La Charlière, from the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris.
Blanchard's first flight almost ended badly! A spectator, who was not allowed to join, cut the balloon's ropes with his sword. Luckily, the flight continued. Blanchard had planned to "row" his balloon, but the wind carried it across the Seine river. He landed safely in the end. He chose the Latin phrase Sic itur ad astra as his motto. This means "This is the way to the stars."
Balloon Mania!
When balloon flights first started, people became very excited. This time was called "balloonomania." Everything was decorated with balloons or designed to look like them. You could find balloon pictures on dishes, fans, and hats. Clothes were made with puffy sleeves and round skirts, or they had balloon prints. Even hairstyles were named after balloons or famous balloonists like Blanchard!
Crossing the English Channel
In August 1784, Blanchard moved to London, England. He made several flights there. On October 16, 1784, he flew with John Sheldon. Blanchard tried to use flapping wings and a windmill to steer his balloon, but they did not work well. Still, the balloon flew about 115 kilometers (71 miles).
His most famous flight was on January 7, 1785. Blanchard, along with an American named Dr. John Jeffries, made the first flight across the English Channel. They flew from Dover Castle in England to Guînes in France. The journey took about two and a half hours.
After this amazing flight, King Louis XVI of France gave Blanchard a special payment. The King even ordered the balloon and its boat to be displayed in a church. Sadly, another attempt to cross the Channel in the opposite direction ended in a fatal crash for Pilâtre de Rozier later that year.
European Tours and Parachutes
Blanchard traveled all over Europe to show off his balloons. He was the first person to make balloon flights in countries like Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. He even performed at the coronation of Emperor Leopold II in Prague in 1791.
Blanchard also helped develop the parachute. In 1785, he showed how a parachute could be used to jump safely from a hot air balloon. At first, he used a dog for his demonstrations. But in 1793, his own balloon ripped, and he had to use a parachute to save himself! Early parachutes were made of linen stretched over a wooden frame. Later, Blanchard started making parachutes from folded silk. Silk was strong and light, which made parachutes much better.
First Flight in America
On January 9, 1793, Blanchard made the first balloon flight in the Americas. He launched his balloon from a prison yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He landed safely in Deptford, New Jersey. Many important people watched this historic flight. The first U.S. President, George Washington, was there. Future presidents like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe also saw the flight. Blanchard left the United States in 1797.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1804, Jean-Pierre Blanchard married Marie Madeleine-Sophie Armant, who became famous as Sophie Blanchard. She also became a well-known balloonist.
On February 20, 1808, Blanchard had an accident while in his balloon in The Hague. He fell from the balloon. He died about a year later on March 7, 1809, from his injuries. His wife, Sophie, continued to fly balloons to support herself. Sadly, she also died in a ballooning accident later.
Images for kids
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Crossing of the English Channel by Blanchard and Jeffries on 7 January 1785.
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Crossing of the English Channel by Blanchard in 1785.
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Walnut Street Jail, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Blanchard launched his 9 January 1793 American flight from the prison yard.
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La 14e expérience aérostatique de Monsieur Blanchard accompagné du Chevalier Lépinard, Lille, 26 août 1785, painting by Louis Joseph Watteau
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Blanchard and Jeffries Crossing the English Channel in 1785
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See also
In Spanish: Jean Pierre Blanchard para niños
