T.S.C. Lowe launches balloon test flight

Item

Item sets
Mall Histories
Title
T.S.C. Lowe launches balloon test flight
Date
06/16/1861
Description
On June 16, 1861, on the site of today’s National Air and Space Museum, T.S.C. Lowe launched his balloon the "Enterprise." Only months into the Civil War, Lowe launched his balloon in order to convince President Lincoln of the usefulness of the invention for military reconnaissance missions. Lincoln approved Lowe's Balloon Corps, a team of hand-picked aeronauts who conducted aerial reconnaissance for the Union Army between 1861 and 1863.
Coverage
1860-1889