Missing Balloon from Northern Illinois Bottlecap Brigade Possibly Shot Down by US Military

The Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade, a group of adults and kids passionate about amateur radio and high-altitude DIY projects, have reported that one of their balloons has been missing since Saturday. The balloon was traveling over Alaska at the time, and it is possible that it was one of the three unidentified objects shot down by the US military. President Joe Biden has acknowledged that these objects were likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation, or research institutions.

The History of Balloon

The first recorded use of a balloon was in 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers sent a hot air balloon into the sky. Since then, balloons have been used for recreational purposes, as well as to provide scientific data and aerial photography. Balloons are also used in advertising and public relations campaigns, with their bright colors and shapes making them an effective way to spread messages. Today, balloons can be filled with helium or air and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small water balloons to giant parade floats.
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Picture source: Karsten Würth