1982: Frustrated in his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot, a southern California truck driver gets himself airborne anyway with the help of a lawn chair and 42 helium-filled weather balloons. Airborne, as in 16,000 feet worth of airborne.

Yet another writeup of this old story, this one from wired. 27 years ago today.

July 2, 1982: Up, Up and Away With 42 Balloons | This Day In Tech | Wired.com