History of Ballooning in Springfield and Western Massachusetts, 1852-2000.

The article focuses on the history of ballooning in Springfield and Western Massachusetts from the mid-19th century through the late 20th century. It details early gas balloon flights beginning in 1852, the role of local gas plants in inflating balloons, and the establishment of aero clubs in Springfield, Pittsfield, and North Adams, supported by the Aero Club of New England and the Aero Club of America. Key figures such as Charles Jasper Glidden and balloon-maker A. Leo Stevens promoted ballooning in the region, although challenges like poor-quality coal gas limited Springfield's prominence. The narrative also covers the transition to hot-air ballooning in the 1960s, the revival of gas balloon racing by pilot J. Michael Wallace in the 1980s, and the broader cultural and technological developments influencing ballooning in the area.