Geeky Holidays Party excuses for the geek in everyone.

Geek events to celebrate on January 9:

1793 – French inventor and aviation pioneer Jean-Pierre Blanchard becomes the first person to fly in a balloon in the United States. I doubt he could have predicted his invention would lead to aviation geekery such as the Balloon Federation of America or the British Balloon and Airship Club. My favorite geeky balloon-related thing right now, though, is the Hot Air Balloon simulator. I got up to 1500 feet or so before I realized that 100 feet above ground is really more ideal for tossing your markers to the ground anywhere close to the target. You have to “enlist” before you can play, which just requires a first name, last name, and nickname.

1839 – The French Academy of Sciences announces the Daguerreotype photography process.

1923 – Juan de la Cierva makes the first autogyro flight.