Robert Murie hot air balloon, c.1908
Component — Box: ICC-0998
Identifier: S27520001_110
Robert Murie hot air balloon
Scope and Contents
From the Item:
Album containing 114 photographs of early Invercargill and surrounds.
The location of the original negatives is unknown, but prints of many of the images can be found in other collections around the country. Some of the photographers have been identified but are largely unknown.
See the Southland Times 9th and 10th of December 1924 'Years of Change' special report which features many of the photographs alongside updated views from 1924.
Numbers drawn in ink have been added to many of the images by persons unknown, and correspond to typed captions.
The location of the original negatives is unknown, but prints of many of the images can be found in other collections around the country. Some of the photographers have been identified but are largely unknown.
See the Southland Times 9th and 10th of December 1924 'Years of Change' special report which features many of the photographs alongside updated views from 1924.
Numbers drawn in ink have been added to many of the images by persons unknown, and correspond to typed captions.
Dates
- c.1908
Conditions Governing Use
This item has no known copyright restrictions. Please reference Invercargill City Libraries and Archives A0105 S27520001_110 when re-using this image.
Biographical / Historical
One of Invercargill’s most entrepreneurial inventors, Robert MacFarlane Murie, 1872-1946, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1881, before leaving for Melbourne in 1889. Robert served an engineering apprenticeship in Melbourne, before returning to Invercargill in 1893. He established an engineering and cycle business in the “Prince of Wales Lane”, off Dee Street, making motor-cars and bicycles. He belonged to the Invercargill Cycling Club and is credited with establishing Invercargill’s first motor garage.
In 1907 he announced he was building a hot-air balloon, which garnered much public attention and interest. This image most likely shows preparations for the first successful ascent of his balloon, which took place in February 1908 within Queen’s Park. The balloon is named “Phoenix”, after a brand of bicycles he created specifically for Southland’s roads.
SOURCES: NOT A CLEVERER MAN IN TOWN: THE LIFE OF ROBERT MacFARLANE MURIE BY DAVID MURIE, REF: LC 338.04 MUR; MURIHIKU: THE SOUTHLAND STORY, REF: 993.96 MUR; PAPERS PAST
In 1907 he announced he was building a hot-air balloon, which garnered much public attention and interest. This image most likely shows preparations for the first successful ascent of his balloon, which took place in February 1908 within Queen’s Park. The balloon is named “Phoenix”, after a brand of bicycles he created specifically for Southland’s roads.
SOURCES: NOT A CLEVERER MAN IN TOWN: THE LIFE OF ROBERT MacFARLANE MURIE BY DAVID MURIE, REF: LC 338.04 MUR; MURIHIKU: THE SOUTHLAND STORY, REF: 993.96 MUR; PAPERS PAST
Extent
From the Item: 1 Volumes
Language of Materials
From the Item: English
Overview
Group of men preparing Robert M. Murie’s hot air balloon, “Phoenix”, for ascent, probably in Queen’s Park, 1908.
Existence and Location of Copies
To obtain a high resolution copy of this image please contact the Archive.
Dimensions
H 146mm x W 193mm
Repository Details
Part of the Invercargill City Libraries and Archives Repository
