1975 Condor 1 experiment proves Nazca-era materials could achieve balloon flight

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1975 Condor 1 experiment proves Nazca-era materials could achieve balloon flight. Jim Woodman and Julian Nott built Condor 1 using ancient methods: cotton envelope, totora reed gondola, native fiber ropes tested to 8 tons of strength, and huarango logs for fuel Totora is the same plant used for boats on Lake Titicaca Smoke funneled into the bag heated it while sealing porous fabric with particulates, the same principle the Montgolfier brothers discovered in France in 1783

In 1975, Jim Woodman and Julian Nott built Condor 1 using only ancient Nazca methods: cotton envelope, totora reed gondola, native fiber ropes, and huarango logs for fuel. Totora is the same plant used for boats on Lake Titicaca. Smoke funneled into the bag heated it while sealing porous fabric with particulates, the same principle the Montgolfier brothers discovered in France in 1783. On November 28, 1975, the balloon surged to 600 feet in 30 seconds. Woodman: "it's beyond any doubt that they could have" Both men were thrown clear after a crash; the empty gondola allowed the balloon to rise again to 1,200 feet.

Key Facts

Jim Woodman and Julian Nott built Condor 1 using ancient methods: cotton envelope, totora reed gondola, native fiber ropes tested to 8 tons of strength, and huarango logs for fuel
Totora is the same plant used for boats on Lake Titicaca
Smoke funneled into the bag heated it while sealing porous fabric with particulates, the same principle the Montgolfier brothers discovered in France in 1783
On November 28, 1975, the balloon surged to 600 feet in 30 seconds
Both men were thrown clear after a crash; the empty gondola allowed the balloon to rise again to 1,200 feet
Total flight lasted 18 minutes
Julian Nott later stated: 'While I do not see any evidence that the Nazca civilization did fly, it's beyond any doubt that they could have'
Nott returned in 2003 with Condor 2, flying a more stable version for Japanese television

Source: The 'Impossible' 1,500-Year-Old Flying Machine (The Ancient Nazca Balloon) by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries