December 2000
(ISSN 0887-6061) is
published monthly by Balloon Life
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MAGAZINE
December 2000
Editor-In-Chief
Publisher
Tom Hamilton
Contributing Editors
Ron Behrmann, George Denniston,
Greg Livadas, Mike Rose,
Alan Sanderson, Peter Stekel
Columnists
Don Piccard
Staff Photographer
Ron Behrmann
Steve Long, David Lynch
Cindy Petrehn, Theresa Smith
Diane Stresing, K. L. Thompson
Mike Vanness, Mike Zemlachenko
2336 47th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
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e-mail: tom@balloonlife.com
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At thedawnof the twentiethcentury free balloonsstillruledthe skies.Powered
airships were strugglingto prove their worth. In1907 JamesGordonBennett started a
new gas balloonrace togeneratenewsfor his papers.Inthefirstfewdecadesof the
century just endedthousandsof people belonged to balloonclubsthroughout Europe.
The twentieth century witnessed great advances in aviation. December 17, 1903 the
Wrightbrothers wouldlaunch anew phaseof mannedflight. Theadventof powered
flight, the explosive end to the Hindenburg and twoworld wars helped to contribute to
the steady decline oflighter-than-airflight for most ofthe century. By 1950 lighter-than-
air flight lookedall but forgotten. By 1960aviation was ina race to space.
Since 1960, when Ed Yost made the first modern hot air balloon flight, lighter-than-
air flight has made an amazing recovery. The last 30 years has witnessed anincredible
growth of hot air ballooning world wide. New and larger airships are beingdeveloped
andbuilt today.
Ballooning today is stronger than it has ever been in its 217 year history. As we head
into a new year, new century, new millennium, I challenge each of you to reach out and
share ballooningwithsomeone new. Infect themwithyour joy of the sport. Help and
encourage others to experience free flight. It is through a larger and stronger community
that the sport will advance andthrive. Share the passion and watchit grow.
