Blanchard, Jean-Pierre

(1753-1809)

   aeronaut

   In 1784, just after the French physicist jean rozier made the first manned balloon ascent, Jean Blanchard, who was born in Les Andeleys, made a successful ascent in his own balloon. In 1785, accompanied by John Jeffries, an American physician, he made the first aerial crossing of the English Channel from Dover to Calais by balloon. In the same year, he gave the first successful demonstration of a parachute, using a basket containing an animal. In 1793, at Philadelphia in the United states, Blanchard made the first balloon ascent in North America. He was often accompanied in his trial ascents by his wife, Sophie Armant, who was killed when a balloon exploded.