In the 2019 film "The Aeronauts," the mammoth-sized balloon known as "The Mammoth" slowly ascends from London's Vauxhall Gardens, piercing through the clouds to overlook the city of London.

For many viewers, the breathtaking spectacle depicted in the movie may seem commonplace now, with everyone capable of aerial feats, but in the distant 19th century, the vast "ocean of air" above remained a mystery waiting to be unraveled by scientists.

Directed by British filmmaker Tom Harper, the film draws inspiration from the aerial experiments of climatologist James Glaisher and balloon pilot Henry Coxwell. However, in the movie, Coxwell is replaced by a fictional daredevil balloon pilot named Amelia Wren.

In 1862, Glaisher and Coxwell soared to a height of 37,000 feet (11,300 meters) in a hot air balloon, surpassing even the altitude of Mount Everest by over 7,900 feet (2,400 meters). In an era devoid of airplanes, they reached the highest point in the atmosphere accessible to humans.

Through their pioneering balloon journey, figures like Glaisher and Coxwell inspired artists, and philosophers, and offered a new perspective on the world, even a way to savor the surrounding air. After their flight, one might experience the world in a different light.

The First Balloon Flight

Before the advent of hot air balloons, the atmosphere was like a blank canvas, where people freely projected their fantasies and fears.

Philosophers gazed at the vast sky, pondering, imagining eternity. Medieval legends spoke of a bird, nameless yet colossal, whose flapping wings stirred winds, capable of carrying humans beyond the clouds.

In 1783, aerial travel became a reality. French brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier conducted the first hot air balloon flight.

As history progressed, balloonists' skills improved. With technological advancements, the safety of balloon travel increased. As long as passengers could afford it, they could board a balloon to see the world from above. In Glaisher's era, manufacturing a hot air balloon cost around £600, equivalent to $90,000 today. For scientists wishing to embark on a celestial journey, it would cost £50 to hire a pilot, rent a balloon, and purchase sufficient gas for the trip.

The Angel's Perspective

Early European balloonists took to the skies for momentary pleasure but returned with profound experiences. They shared newfound perspectives and sensations, reciting poetry, expressing their thoughts, and painting their world for mortals to see.

This era birthed a series of similar cultural themes: dreams, tranquility, feelings of isolation, and loneliness.

"We are lost in a vague ocean, surrounded by immaculate ivory and plaster snowflakes," remarked balloon travelers Wilfrid de Fonvielle and Gaston Tissandier in 1868.

In 1838, flutist Monk Mason described the sensation of ascending into the clouds in his book, "Stripped of all direction, detached from all we have learned and pursued."

Literary works also depicted scenes of villages, farms, and cities from the vantage point of a hot air balloon. In 1852, Henry Mayhew recalled perching in the clouds, viewing London from the "angel's perspective": "Tiny humans, appearing like myriad black pins on a cushion, clustering and flowing like bees amidst the ponderous and discordant palaces and workshops."

In summary, "The Aeronauts" encapsulates the adventurous essence of early balloonists like James Glaisher and Henry Coxwell. Their daring flights not only expanded our knowledge of the skies but also ignited imaginations and inspired future generations.