Charles Green was born
in London on 31st January, 1785. He became interested in science
and made several air balloons. His first balloons used hydrogen
gas. However, he made his first ascent on 19th July, 1821, at St.
James Park, London, in a balloon filled with coal gas. This was
the first time this gas had been used for a manned flight.
Over the next 25 years
Green made over 200 ascents in various balloons. On 7th November,
1836, Green, Robert Hollond and Monck Mason left London in the huge
Vauxhall Balloon. When it arrived in Weilburg, Germany, it had covered
480 miles (772 km) in 18 hours.
By the time Green retired
in 1852 he had taken part in over 500 flights. Charles Green died
from heart attack on 26th March, 1870.
Vauxhall Balloon
