Like Icarus, the Balloon Zénith Flew Too High

Filed by Max the Cryptid Reporter

In the 19th century, French aeronauts were taking to the skies enthusiastically in hot air balloons. They were looking for thrills, fame, or a faster method of transportation. A few wanted to harness balloons for scientific research. In 1875, scientist Gaston Tissandier, engineer Joseph Crocé-Spinelli, and balloonist Théodore Sivel set off from La Villette in Sivel's 3,000 cubic meter balloon named Zénith in a quest to fly higher than anyone before. It wasn't just a stunt, but also a quest to st