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Time:Born around 1778 — Died 1819. Place:France. Also known as:One of the first women to fly ANYTHING solo. Not to be confused with:Blanche Stuart Scott, the first woman to fly an AIRPLANE solo. 
Claim to fame:A pioneer in flying with balloons, Sophie took over her husband's balloon business when he died in an accident. She made over 50 more flights before she, too, died in a balloon crash.
Teaser if on the evening news:"Are giant flying whales attacking Paris, or is Mme. Blanchard up, up, up to her old tricks? Either way, we hope there's no air disasters! But first — and speaking of HAIR disasters — our beauty correspondent tells us how to deal with the scourge of Paris: beret head."
Likely to say:"Up, up, and away!" Unlikely to say:"What do you mean there's no in-flight snack?"
Who would play Blanchard in a movie?Jodie Foster. She's a can-do person, AND she speaks French. Who would not play Blanchard in a movie?Paris Hilton (although she has the name for it).
Overheard conversation between Mme. Blanchard and Napoleon:BLANCHARD: "Napoleon, I have good news and bad news." NAPOLEON: "Oh, I hate this. Always with the good and the bad. Okay, how about the good news first." BLANCHARD: "The good news is, I've been named Official Aeronaut of the Restoration." NAPOLEON: "Hey! Nice going. I've always liked you. That's why I had you fly at my wedding." BLANCHARD: "The bad news is, 'the Restoration' means that King Louis XVIII has been restored back to power, and you're being exiled to Elba." NAPOLEON: "Elba? You're kidding me. That's nowhere near here. How can I rule my Empire from..." (awkward pause as Mme Blanchard whistles and looks at her shoes) NAPOLEON: "Oh..."
Favorite ice cream:Truffle (the chocolate, not the mushroom). |
