Stories
- Article
The blight of the ballooning blood vessels
In 1817 an emergency operation on a London porter was hailed a ‘success’ despite the patient’s swift demise. Find out how this case became a landmark in vascular surgery.
- In pictures
The death-defying science of the aeronauts
Air ballooning is not as serene as you might think. Read about the perilous exploits of two early aeronauts who risked life and limb to better understand the science of the weather.
- Article
Manipulating the evidence with deepfake technology
How can you be sure that the person speaking on the screen is genuine? Find out how sophisticated digital manipulation is blurring the boundaries between real and ‘deepfake’.
- Article
Inhaling happiness and gasping for a high
The rapid, short-lived high we get from whippets, reefers and vapes can be accompanied by long-term health consequences. The search is on for safer ways to get stoned.
Catalogue
- Archives and manuscripts
Balloons in the dark (artwork)
Date: 1970sReference: PP/RSI/B/1/2/10/8Part of: Rita Simon Collection- Books
- Online
Airopaidia: containing the narrative of a balloon excursion from Chester, the eighth of September, 1785, taken from Minutes made during the Voyage: Hints on the Improvement of Balloons, and Mode of Inflation by Steam. Means to Prevent their Descent over Water: Occasional Enquiries into the State of the Atmosphere, Favouring their Direction: with various Philosophical Observations and Conjectures. To which is subjoined, mensuration of heights by the barometer, made plain: with extensive tables. The whole serving as an introduction to ærial navigation: with a copious index. By Thomas Baldwin, Esq. A. M.
Baldwin, Thomas.Date: [1786]
- Pictures
- Online
Men travelling in hot-air balloons by night. Coloured wood engraving.
Reference: 36427i
- Books
- Online
Wonderful balloon ascents, or, the conquest of the skies ; a history of balloons and balloon voyages / from the French of F. Marion.
Marion, Fulgence.Date: [1888]- Videos
Infusofeed balloons.
Date: 1993