Dream Big

What major hysterical events do you remember?

Lawnchair Larry” is the nickname for Larry Walters, a man who in 1982 flew over Los Angeles in a lawn chair attached to 42 helium-filled weather balloons. He intended to fly a few hundred feet but accidentally ascended to 16,000 feet, drifting into a commercial flight path and eventually crashing into power lines in Long Beach, which caused a brief blackout. Despite the illegal and dangerous nature of his flight, Walters became a folk hero and his story was widely publicized. His original lawn chair is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. 

• The flight: Walters’s goal was to fly just above his backyard, but a gust of wind caused him to ascend rapidly, reaching an altitude of 16,000 feet. He had a parachute, a pellet gun to shoot balloons for descent, a CB radio, and a camera. 
• The landing: He drifted into the controlled airspace of Long Beach Airport, causing alarm among pilots. After a difficult descent, he became tangled in power lines, which knocked out power to several city blocks. 
• The aftermath: Walters was not seriously injured and was immediately arrested. He was fined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but later became a media sensation, appearing on shows like The Tonight Show. 
• The legacy: His story, fueled by his daring and eccentric pursuit of a lifelong dream to fly, captured the public’s imagination. The original lawn chair he used is now a part of the Smithsonian’s collection.