Sophie von Hatzfeld – The Red Countess (1805-1881
The “Mother of the German Social Democratic Movement” born a high aristocrat divorced her husband, smoked cigars and had a lover 20 years her junior
Arthur Berson (1859-1942) Meteorologist, Extreme Balloonist
On this day, December 3rd, 1942 the great German meteorologist and balloonist Arthur Berson (1859-1942) died of a stroke. Berson is credited with the discovery of the Stratosphere. His work on the structure of the Troposphere as well as his Climatology research were major advances in his field. But he was most famous for his feats as a balloonist. He participated in over 100 scientific high-altitude ascents.