At
San Raphael Park, north
of downtown Reno, the
Great Reno Hot Air
Balloon Race occurs in
the week before
qualifications for the
National Championship Air
Races. The Balloons are
sent aloft in the early
morning hours just before
sunrise when the winds
are calm and not a factor
in the ascent.
Ballooning's
origins date back to 1776
when Henry Cavendish
discovers hydrogen. The
first balloon is an
unmanned attempt known as
"The Globe,"
which is launched by
Jacques Charles, in 1783,
and attains an altitude
of 3,000 feet, travelling
fifteen miles before
landing. The balloon is
destroyed upon landing by
frightened farmers
wielding pitchforks.
