All on Fire, or the Doctors Disappointed, A View Taken in Lord Foley's Garden, September 29, 1784
Anonymous, British, 18th century British
Publisher E. Wyatt British
Not on view
Early aeronautic experiments were risky. This hand colored etching portrays an early failed English attempt at human flight made on September 29, 1784 in Portland Place, London. Sponsored by Dr. John Sheldon, a huge balloon was built by the London umbrella maker, Allen Keegan. Unfortunately, it caught fire while being filled with smoke and hot air, disappointing the numerous spectators and its intended passenger, the French aeronaut Blanchard. A few weeks later, on October 15th, Vincent Lunardi, secretary to the Neopolitan ambassador, became England's first aerial traveler.
