Joseph Maximilian von Lütgendorf

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Baron Joseph Maximilian von Lütgendorf (* 1750 in Rome ; † August 11, 1829 in Regensburg ) was a German inventor and traveler as well as a pioneer in aviation .

Baron Joseph Maximilian Freiherr von Lütgendorf's gas balloon in the Gersthofen balloon museum.

The Thurn- und Taxissche Hofrat tried unsuccessfully for the honor of becoming the “first German air sailor”.

Lütgendorf's balloon launch attempt

Lütgendorf's role model was the first French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard , who successfully lifted off the ground in a gas balloon in 1784 and crossed the English Channel in 1785 . Lütgendorf wanted to do the same, found sponsors who financed his company and had his gas balloon built in Augsburg . The cover was made of white and red taffeta ; it should hold 550 cubic meters of hydrogen . A gondola in the shape of a small boat, which was splendidly decorated, hung on ropes at the bottom. Feathered oars should enable maneuvering and a gas valve should ensure safety. He gave his vehicle the name Gondolfiere based on the Montgolfière .

For his attempt to start, which took place in Augsburg on August 24, 1786, the baron had an amphitheater specially built and sold a hundred thousand tickets. After its launch twice due to weather and human error, the public nicknamed his unwilling balloon "Erdlieb" and the baron was chased out of town. He then made a third and final attempt to start in the nearby village of Gersthofen , but again without success. Its balloon envelope was destroyed by storms and wind.

In Gersthofen Balloon Museum is a replica hangs this balloon.

Further life

After his failure as an aviation pioneer, Lütgendorf left Germany and moved to England . There he came to wealth and reputation. But then he lost everything in a shipwreck and died penniless.

literature

  • Susann Trabert: Lütgendorf's balloon ascent from 1786 - a media event. In: Brückner, Wolfgang; et al. (Ed.): Conference proceedings Nuremberg 2009 . Münster: Waxmann, 2010 (Working Group Image Print Paper, 14), pp. 43–58

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Pioneers of air and balloon flight in Augsburg - balloon flights in Gersthofen. In: ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com. www.ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com, accessed on April 18, 2018 (German).
  2. ^ Pioneers of air and balloon flight in Augsburg - balloon flights in Gersthofen. In: ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com. www.ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com, accessed on April 18, 2018 (German).
  3. ↑ With gas and hot air to sky-high spheres . February 25, 2013 ( vdk.de ).
  4. ^ Pioneers of air and balloon flight in Augsburg - balloon flights in Gersthofen. In: ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com. www.ballonfahrten-gersthofen.com, accessed on April 18, 2018 (German).
personal data
SURNAME Lütgendorf, Joseph Maximilian von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German inventor and traveler as well as pioneer of aviation
DATE OF BIRTH 1750
PLACE OF BIRTH Rome
DATE OF DEATH August 11, 1829
Place of death regensburg