East Greenbush can boast of a number of historical "firsts," as we'll discover in future posts on this page. One of them came from our most famous resident, Edmond Charles “Citizen” Genet (1763-1834).

We’re home to America's 1st book on aviation!

At the ripe old age of 31, the former (and failed!) French diplomat retired to a 600-acre estate on Hayes Road, where he comfortably and happily lived the rest of his life. He dabbled in everything from political activism to gentleman farming, business, and even inventing.

In 1825, his “scientific” theories were published in a book titled “Memorial on the Upward Forces of Fluids.” It contained descriptions, charts and diagrams of a number of fanciful inventions (none of which were ever built or tested). Most notable from today’s perspective was his “Aerostatic Vessel or Aeronaut” -- essentially “a hot air balloon powered by two horses running on a circular treadmill.”                                                                               

Whether his “Aeronaut” is truly the grandfather of modern-day dirigibles, or whether -- as his contemporaries scoffed -- his book was
 “nothing more than a collection of crackpot ideas,” Genet was awarded the first US patent for an aeronautical invention. Because of its significance, first editions of his book (it was reprinted in 1969) sell for thousands of dollars today.

Citizen Genet’s history is a fascinating one, which could fill chapters or even a book of its own. No doubt we’ll run into him again as we continue looking “Way Back When!”

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Much of the content for this post came from this excellent book:

“Hidden History of the Mid-Hudson Valley: Stories from the Albany Post Road” by Carney Rhinevault and Tatiana Rhinevault.  Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2011.

The full citation for Genet’s work:

“Memorial on the Upward Forces of Fluids, and their applicability to several arts, sciences and public improvements: for which a patent has been granted by the government of the United States” by Edmond Charles Genet.  Albany, NY: Packard and Van Penthuysen, 1825.

Genet image link:    http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wcarr1/Lossing2/04-03.gif

Aerostat image link:    http://longstreet.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83542d51e69e2014e86ead908970d-pi