Snapshots of the Past

Captive balloon supports Voice of America" antenna" – Historic Reproduction

Captive balloon supports Voice of America" antenna", 1952 March 7-8. — historic photograph
Captive balloon supports Voice of America" antenna", 1952 March 7-8.. Historic photograph from the Ballooning collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

This rare historic photograph captures Captive balloon supports Voice of America" antenna" in remarkable detail. It comes from the collections of the Library of Congress, scanned from the original and carefully restored.

The framed print arrives ready to hang; the unframed option suits custom framing. It makes a striking addition to a living room, study or office, and a thoughtful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Snapshots of the Past has been bringing history to the wall since 2001, for tens of thousands of customers worldwide.

Captive balloon supports Voice of America" antenna"

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A captive balloon holds aloft a wire antenna for the Voice of America in this 1952 photoprint, taken by the U.S. Coast Guard over March 7 and 8 of that year. The Voice of America, the federal government's international shortwave broadcasting service, relied on tall antennas to reach listeners overseas, and lifting wire on a tethered balloon was one way to gain height without a fixed tower. The date and details come from an old caption card and have not been independently verified, so the exact site and the course of the test remain uncertain.

Created / published1952 March 7-8.
Medium1 photographic print.
NotesPhotoprint by the U.S. Coast Guard. No. 5538. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan1,536 × 1,250 px · prints to 5 × 4 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-144017

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