James Tytler
James Tytler made a balloon ascent in Edinburgh on 27 August 1784; he is considered the first person in Britain to achieve this feat. Soon after, Vincenzo Lunardi made an ascent (which may have been better publicized at the time).
He was lead editor of the second edition of Encyclopedia Brittanica; late in his life he emigrated to the New World and died in Salem.[1][2]
Tytler's interest in ballooning is documented by an appendix to the Encyclopedia Brittanica expanding on the entry titled "Air" to include the new field of ballooning which had been brought to the fore by the Montgolifers in France, and writing:[3]
By this invention, the schemes of transporting people through the atmosphere, formerly thought chimerical, are realized; and it is impossible to say how far the art of aerial navigation may be improved, or with what advantages it may be attended.
In the summer of 1784 Tytler exhibited a "Fire Balloon" in Edinburgh, charging three shillings for admission. On 27 August Tytler made a flight with the balloon, ascending to 105 meters and successfully landing.[3]
References
- ↑ Ballantyne, 1880, Up in the Clouds, pp. 40–41.
- ↑ James Tytler: Scottish editor, Encyclopedia Brittanica, last edited 13 December 21 (retrieved 21 December 2021).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 William Swinton, "Dr. James Tytler: author, balloonist, encyclopedist", Can Med Assoc J. 1981 Jan 15; 124(2): 216–223.
| Names | James Tytler |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 1745-12-17 |
| Death date | 1804-01-11 |
| Countries | GB, Scotland, US, Massachusetts Bay Colony |
| Locations | Fearn; Edinburgh; Salem |
| Occupations | physician, author, editor, encyclopedist, publisher |
| Tech areas | LTA, Balloon |
| Affiliations | |
| Wikidata id | Q504979 |
