Lafayette, Ind., 1859. Credit: Bass Photo Company Collection, Indiana Historical Society
"Ballooning is about a half-century ahead of the age…our children will travel to any part of the globe without the inconvenience of smoke, sparks, and sea-sickness, and at the rate of one hundred miles per hour." John Wise, A System of Aeronautics, 1850
One of the foremost aeronauts of the 19th century, John Wise made over 400 balloon flights. He never realized his dream of crossing the Atlantic in a balloon, a feat that would not be accomplished until well into the 20th century. Wise left a legacy of innovations behind, however. Among his many contributions to flight were:
- The parachute "rip panel" for balloons. This is a device that has saved numerous lives through the years. In an emergency, an aeronaut can rip out a gore of fabric from the balloon to convert the balloon envelope into a parachute.
- His "rivers of wind" theory, which was proven to be what we now call the Jet Stream.
- His discovery of some of the various ozone levels throughout the atmosphere.
- His work to advance scientific knowledge during the mid-19th century. Wise corresponded frequently with Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, about ozone levels, wind currents and the physiological dimension of reaching the heights. Wise often conducted experiments in the air for Henry that influenced an enhanced focus on science in the 19th century.
Wise, like many pioneering aeronauts, lost his life in pursuit of the dream of manned flight. On September 29, 1879, Wise launched in a balloon from St. Louis, intending to cross the Great Lakes and land in New York. He was last seen in northern Indiana headed north toward Lake Michigan. His remains were never recovered.
Charles Wetherill, the chemist who brought John Wise to Indiana, was appointed by President Lincoln to head the Bureau of Chemistry (later the Food and Drug Administration) in the brand-new U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1802.