Balloon Riots

14 snips

Nov 17, 2025

Explore the wild world of ballooning in the late 18th century, where excitement and fervor often led to chaos. Discover the massive crowds that gathered for breathtaking launches and how a failed ascent could spark riots. Hear about the infamous Paris balloon disaster in 1784 and the Vauxhall Gardens riot, fueled by rumors of tragedy. From London to Australia, witnesses turned to violence at botched events, leading to ballooning’s unpredictable demise. History isn’t just full of facts; it’s filled with ballooning blunders and crowd chaos!

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INSIGHT

From Sky Lanterns To Public Science

Ballooning originated from small Chinese sky lanterns and evolved into large public experiments in 18th-century Europe.
Early successes quickly turned balloon launches into massive public spectacles and scientific showcases.

INSIGHT

Balloons Attract Massive Expectations

Early balloon demonstrations drew enormous crowds, sometimes hundreds of thousands in Paris.
The sheer public expectation made failed launches politically and socially explosive.

ANECDOTE

Paris Ticket Holders Turn Violent

Janinet and Abbé Miolin sold tickets to a 1784 Paris launch that failed to inflate properly.
Angry ticket-holders tore the balloon apart and burned pieces after the failed attempt.

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Ballooning became a huge fad starting in the late 18th century, and there was a surprising amount of rioting associated with it. Fervor, excitement, and intoxication in some instances, meant that balloon events were prone to get out of control.

Research:

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Daily National Intelligencer. “The Balloon, and Conflagration of Vauxhall.” 9/14/1819. https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn83026172/1819-09-14/ed-1/?sp=2&q=vauxhall&r=0.48,-0.027,0.621,0.225,0
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Wroth, Warwick. “Cremorne and the Later London Gardens.” London. Elliot Stock. 1907.

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