Balloon Tower

Original Idea

This was Purdue CIA's first project to induce awe by pointing to the immensity of the sky above us (see also the Infinity Arrow project).

We decided to connect a helium balloon tower to Purdue's bell tower. Each of the 20 red balloons would be 2 feet in diameter and separated with 16 feet of string.

This 320 foot balloon tower would be twice the height of the bell tower. The bell tower would be an aesthetically pleasing 1/3rd of the total structure.

The uppermost balloon would be almost invisible at 480 feet. The final effect would be like a pearl necklace leaving the bell tower and disappearing into the sky.

We worked out the logistics of attatching the balloon tower to the bell tower. At 2am on a fall morning we attempted our project but were deterred by campus watch-people.

New Mission

The bell tower was well guarded so we used trees instead.

We also assembled a large arrow from dowel rods and red fabric. This was at the base of the tower, and this arrow was to point into the infinite sky.

Around 4 am 12 CIA members came to my apartment and we launched the project. Everything went according to plan except the wind blew the tower horizontally. Click pictures for larger view.

Infinity in All Directions

I like using sidewalk chalk to write quotes, jokes, diagrams, etc. One of my favorites to write is:

Above you is


∞*

*And to the left of you,
And to the right of you,
And to the right-but-just-a-little-to-the-left of you,
And to the right-but-just-a-litte-more-to-the-left of you...