A brief history of A. Stevens & O. Anderson 1935 balloon record
By Willie Bodenstein
23.11.2025
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Born on 13 March 1886 Albert William Stevens was an officer, balloonist and aerial photographer who served in United States Army Air Corps, He had graduated from the University of Maine in 1909 with a master's degree in electrical engineering.
While flying over South America in 1930, Stevens took the first photograph of the earth in a way that the horizon's curvature is visible. Accompanied by Lieutenant Charles D. McAllister of the Army Air Corps, Stevens also took the first photograph of the moon's shadow projected onto the Earth during a solar eclipse in August, 1932.
Born on 2 May 1895 Orvil Orson "Andy" Anderson was an American Army and Air Force officer, and a pioneer Army balloonist. On 28 July 1934, he participated in the Explorer I stratospheric balloon fight which reached an altitude of 60,613 feet before he had to bail out due to safety concerns.
On 11 November 1935, Stevens, along with Captain Anderson, made a record balloon ascent from the "Stratobowl" (a natural depression) near Rapid City, South Dakota. There were 20,000 spectators, while millions of people listened to a live NBC radio broadcast. Their sealed gondola Explorer II floated to 72,395 feet (22,066 m), nearly 14 miles (23 km), a record unequalled until 1956.
Stevens died on 26 March 1949 aged 63 in Redwood City, California and 22 August 1965 aged 70.
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