U.S. Navy History of Hot Air & Gas Filled Balloons Film 59184 (1944)

Synopsis

This 1944 non-classified U.S. Navy black-and-white training film MN 2722a highlights the history of balloons. Animation shows balloon components: fabric, gas, net, load ring, basket, valve, appendix, ballast, rip panel, drag rope, and anchor (:20-1:29). A Navy balloon is prepared for inflation in a hangar. The sailors turn valves on a wall of hydrogen gas bottles (1:30-1:56). A cartoon animation depicts the first hot air balloon and one using hydrogen in 1783. Using both together blows up (1:57-3:20). Hydrogen and oxygen together are explosive, as shown in an experiment. Bottles of methanol (wood alcohol and water) are shown. The hydrogen valve is opened; the balloon expands. Animation shows how lifting force works. Charles’ Law and Boyle’s Law are explained (3:21-6:26). The animation shows coal gas and the first portable hydrogen plant. Footage shows a balloon moved during WWI. Hydrogen cylinders are stacked in woods (6:27-7:31). Goldbeater’s skin is made from the gut of oxen. Footage shows the resulting film’s hardiness. Cotton pickers pick cotton, made into fabric. A cellophane balloon is tested. Scientists work in a lab with test tubes (7:32-9:12). Sailors attach ballast. An animation shows the 1783 balloon with net-covered top, followed by net covering the balloon. An 1859 balloon used a boat as the basket. A Civil War balloon remained tethered. WWI had kite balloons with finger patches. Balloons also had pontoons attached. A balloon hit by lightning had the fabric…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

26 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage