2-714-639 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The heroic ascent of Professor Piccard, 1932. 'L'Héroïque Ascension du Professeur Piccard'. Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard (1884-1962) built a balloon with an airtight cabin, equipped with pressurized air. On 18 August 1932, Piccard launched from Dübendorf, Switzerland, making a record-breaking ascent to 16,201 metres (53,153 feet). Front cover of "L'Illustré du Petit Journal". [France, 28 August 1932]