PERTH AMBOY — The City of Perth Amboy will be celebrating the 150th year anniversary of the first directional flight on Friday, May 31.

“With over 330 years of existence, our contribution to the American history is very significant. I welcome all to learn more about the rich history of Perth Amboy, said Mayor Wilda Diaz.”

Mayor Diaz will be joined by John Dyke, a local historian and several students of the Perth Amboy High School for an educational program on the history of Dr. Solomon Andrews. An excerpt of the documentary film on the history of Dr. Andrews will be aired, followed by a brief presentation. The event is free and open to the public on Friday, May 31, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Alexander F. Jankowski Community center, 1 Olive Street, Perth Amboy.

ABOUT THE HISTORIC FLIGHT: Flight Date: June 1, 1863, Location: Inventors’ Institute, Perth Amboy NJ. This is the present day location of the Perth Amboy Board Of Education Headquarters on Barracks St.

Airship: Aereon One, a dirigible with three cigar shaped balloons. Each balloon was 80 feet long by 13 feet in diameter. The cylinders were stiffened longitudinally and terminated in cork cones. The coverings were 1,200 yards of Irish linen that were varnished to prevent the gas from escaping. The gas within was hydrogen, which was produced by Dr. Andrews. The basket was 12 feet long by 16 inches wide and only came up to Dr. Andrews’ knees!

Inventor & Pilot: Dr. Andrews patented 24 inventions. In monetary terms, his most successful invention was a lock that could not be picked. This lock was used by the United States Postal Service for many decades. The proceeds from this lock allowed Andrews to found the Inventors’ Institute during 1847.

Press Release