NOVA

Season 42, Episode 5

Episode Title: Ben Franklin's Balloons

Air Date: 2014-10-22

Overview:

NOVA re-creates key flights, including the world’s first manned voyage on November 21, 1783. A descendant of the Montgolfier brothers, whose exploits fascinated Benjamin Franklin, will join a team to build an accurate replica of the fragile paper and canvas craft using 18th-century tools and materials.