Title
Miolan and Janinet's experiment on 11th July 1784
Caption
Print by J.Chereau, rue Saint Jacques, Paris
Miolan and Janinet's aerostatic machine blaze, Sunday 11th July 1784
Coloured etching with frame (62 x 51.5 cm)
Muller-Quênot Collection
Info+
Miolan the priest and Janinet the engraver, both physicists, built a large hot-air balloon with a side opening at the Paris Observatory. On 11th July 1784, Parisians flocked to Luxembourg to witness the experiment. Whilst the balloon was being inflated, a current of air, probably created by a side opening in the envelope, set the aerostat on fire. The spectators who had paid three pounds to watch the experiment rushed into the enclosure and completely destroyed the balloon and the equipment. As a result, the priest and Janinet were subjects of caricature drawings with Miolan drawn like a cat and Janinet as a donkey. We can see them fleeing the scene in the bottom left of this etching.
Date
18th century
Credit line
Photo12/Association Muller Quenot Rosheim
Reference
MQR10A00_174
License type
Rights managed
Available size
58,8Mb (4,8Mb) / 16,5in x 13,8in / 4961 x 4142 (300dpi)