The Aeronauts

In 1785, Jean-Pierre Blanchard demonstrated using a parachute as a means of safely disembarking from a hot-air balloon. While Blanchard's first parachute demonstrations were conducted with a dog as the passenger, he later claimed to have had the opportunity to try it himself in 1793 when his hot air balloon ruptured and he used a parachute to descend. Jean-Pierre died from injuries sustained when he fell from his balloon after suffering a heart attack, in 1809. His wife Sophie continued as a solo balloonist after his death. Sophie Blanchard was known to dress distinctively, as to be seen from a distance, gave parachute demonstrations, and specialized in night ascents and fireworks displays. On 6 July 1819, her hydrogen-filled balloon caught fire and crashed into the rooftops of the Rue de Provence, Blanchard fell to the streets below and died. She is buried in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Her tombstone that still stands, was paid by a collect money from the French public and shows a sculpture of a burning balloon and the inscription "Victime de son Art et de son Intrepidite" (Victim of her Art and Intrepidity).

In reality, they would have unfortunately suffered from hypoxia and become icecubes, given the commonly accepted international standard atmosphere (ISA) model.

During the opening credits, many of the Os in people's names slowly rise, as if symbolizing a balloon elevating.

Featured in CTV News at 11:30 Toronto: Folge vom 8. September 2019 (2019)