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Robert Murie hot air balloon

 Digital Image
Identifier: D27520001_110
Untitled
Untitled

Dates

  • c.1908

Summary

Group of men preparing Robert M. Murie’s hot air balloon, “Phoenix”, for ascent, probably in Queen’s Park, 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
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