While serving as Ambassador to France for the fledgling United States during the Revolutionary War and its immediate aftermath, Benjamin Franklin followed news about the first balloon flights with interest and witnessed multiple ascensions. He provided detailed descriptions of these events to colleagues abroad. He wrote that balloons “may pave the Way to some Discoveries in Natural Philosophy of which at present we have no Conception.”

Franklin’s words were prophetic; the Greater Philadelphia Region holds a rich and storied heritage in aerospace innovation and technology, contributing significantly to the advancement of aviation and space exploration.

The stories below are a small sampling of some of the more notable history that the greater Philadelphia region can speak to with pride regarding its rich aerospace heritage.

If you have suggestions for a story to feature on this page, email us at: mail@ColdWarHistory.org.

Enjoy!