The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean · Sam Kean, Bleav
The Great Balloon Escape
December 9, 2025·18 min·1 clip
To escape the Prussian siege, Parisians launched hot air balloons fueled by the city's own street lamp gas.
As heard by us
A siege tale that becomes a balloon escape and a helium rivalry.
A siege, an eclipse, and a hot air balloon give this episode a sharp historical frame. It moves from a trapped astronomer to the politics around a disputed element, keeping the stakes concrete as travel closes off and a scientist refuses the easy way out.
Why you'd press play
You want a science-history story with a siege, a balloon escape, and a helium credit fight.
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