Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1978
Photograph by Otis Imboden
Inventor and balloonist Frederick Eshoo drifts over Albuquerque, New Mexico, in his invention, Sunstat, the first maneuverable solar hot-air balloon. The balloon's clear panels (left) transmit sunlight to heat-absorbing opaque panels opposite, heating the air inside and keeping the balloon aloft. At more than four hours and 12,500 feet (3,800 meters), Eshoo’s first trip was a soaring success.
