August 17th 2024.
Life is a constant test of our patience. From waiting in line for our morning coffee, to eagerly anticipating the release of a new song, and even enduring the long stretch until payday, we are constantly reminded that good things come to those who wait. But for a group of adventurous balloonists, patience was taken to a whole new level when they set out to accomplish a feat that had been two hundred years in the making - crossing the Atlantic Ocean by hot air balloon.
It was August 11, 1978 when three Americans, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman, made history by landing their silvery helium gas balloon, the Double Eagle II, in a field in Miserey, France. As they stepped out of the wicker gondola, they were greeted by a crowd of thousands, eager to witness the triumphant arrival of the first balloonists to successfully cross the Atlantic. The excitement was contagious, and the crowd's enthusiasm was evident when they quickly swarmed the balloon, tearing apart the gondola for souvenirs.
The journey had taken 137 hours and six minutes, covering a distance of 3,120 miles, an impressive accomplishment that was recognized by the National Air and Space Museum. But this achievement was not without its challenges. The first hot air balloon took flight in 1783, and although air travel had become more commonplace in the following centuries, crossing the Atlantic by balloon had remained a seemingly impossible task. Even George Washington had predicted the advancements in technology that would one day make it possible for people to fly instead of sailing across the ocean.
By the early 1900s, airplanes were soaring above the earth, while ballooning struggled to catch up. Many attempts were made to cross the Atlantic, but it wasn't until 1978 that Abruzzo and Anderson, both experienced balloonists, joined forces with mechanical engineer Newman to make their mark in history. Their previous attempt in 1977 had failed due to storms, forcing them to abandon their gondola and be rescued by the Navy.
But they did not let this failure discourage them. As Anderson famously said, "Success in any venture is just the intelligent application of failure." And so, they set out once again, this time successfully landing in Maine, after a grueling journey that lasted over 137 hours. Equipped with essential supplies such as hot dogs, sardines, bagels, and even battery-powered electric socks, the trio braved the high altitudes and unpredictable weather to reach their destination.
As they made their descent over Paris, they were faced with the difficult decision of where to land. They chose to avoid the busy suburbs and instead, landed in a barley field, making their way to the village of Miserey, where they were met with tears of joy and relief. After two centuries of failed attempts, Abruzzo, Anderson, and Newman had finally accomplished the impossible. They had entered the history books and fulfilled their dream of being the first to cross the Atlantic by balloon.
The journey may have been long and challenging, but as Abruzzo reflected, "Our dream of being the first to cross the Atlantic by balloon was now a reality." And with this achievement, they proved that with determination, perseverance, and a little bit of patience, anything is possible.
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