Nadar (born Gaspard-Flix Tournachon; 5 April 1820 20 March 1910) was a French photographer, caricaturist, journalist, novelist, balloonist, and proponent of heavier-than-air flight. In 1858, he became the first person to take aerial photographs, and during the Siege of Paris in 187071, he established the first airmail service. In 1863, Nadar commissioned the prominent balloonist Eugne Godard to construct an enormous balloon, 60 metres (196ft) high and with a capacity of 6,000m3 (210,000cuft), named Le Gant (The Giant). For publicity, he recreated balloon flights in his studio with his wife, Ernestine, using a rigged-up balloon gondola. This self-portrait of Nadar in a balloon basket was taken c.1863.Photograph credit: Nadar; restored by Adam CuerdenRecently featured: Red pandaFord Strikers Riot20222023 California floodsArchiveMore featured pictures