Origins & Early Life

Bertrand Piccard FRSGS (born 1 March 1958) is a Swiss explorer, psychiatrist and environmentalist. Along with Brian Jones, he was the first to complete a non-stop balloon flight around the globe, in a balloon named Breitling Orbiter 3. He was the initiator, chairman, and pilot, with André Borschberg, of Solar Impulse, the first successful round-the-world solar-powered flight. In 2012 Piccard was awarded a Champions of the Earth award by the UN Environment Programme.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He is the founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation. Piccard was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. His grandfather Auguste Piccard was a balloonist and undersea explorer, and his father Jacques Piccard was an undersea explorer. As a child, Piccard was taken to the launch of several space flights from Cape Canaveral. Initially afraid of heights, at age 16 he took up hang gliding.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He developed early interests in flight and human behaviour in extreme situations. He received a degree from the University of Lausanne in psychiatry. Piccard has since become a lecturer and supervisor at the Swiss Medical Society for Hypnosis (SMSH). Piccard obtained licences to fly balloons, airplanes...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alec Baldwin — Contemporary (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
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• 6th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (03-01 · Born) (1683): The 6th Dalai Lama, a spiritual figure known for his unconventional lifestyle and profound influence in Tibet.
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• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Alfred F. Young — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Alexander II of Russia — Shared historical date (03-01 · Died) (1881): Emperor of Russia, known as 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom.
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