His balloon, The Jupiter, carried 123 letters to make the first official airmail delivery run for the US Post Office in 1859.

In his early flights in Pennsylvania, he conducted various experiments on atmospheric pressure, pneumatics and hydrostatics, and while his primary interest remained scientific, he joined the ranks of commercial balloonists performing at shows and county fairs.

On a flight from Easton, Pennsylvania, on August 11, 1838, in bad weather, the design was put to an impromptu test when Wise's balloon was punctured at 13,000 feet (4,000 m).

The balloon descended rapidly with an oscillating motion, and, on reaching the earth, rebounded, throwing Wise 10 feet (3.0 m) from the car.

Prior to Wise's use of the rip panel, balloons would drag along the ground when landing and had to be secured by anchors and lines.

However, he did attract enough attention from topographical engineers to be recommended for building a balloon for the purposes of demonstrating aerial surveillance for map making and undercut the bids of the others by $200.

At the last minute Wise appeared with papers in hand demanding that Lowe step aside and allow him to inflate his balloon, which was rightfully commissioned into action.

Major Albert J. Myer and 20 men from the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteers secured the inflated balloon to a wagon and proceeded toward the battlefield at Centerville, Virginia.

In his haste to move forward, Myer entangled the balloon in the trees, which disabled the craft and permanently removed Wise from involvement in the Civil War.

On September 28, 1879, aged 71, he disappeared with passenger George Burr on a trip in high-speed winds from East St. Louis, Illinois over Lake Michigan.

It is reported the balloon was seen over Carlinville, Illinois[4] or was seen 35 miles (56 km) from Chicago drifting northeastward toward Lake Michigan at "Miller's Station".

The body of George Burr, the passenger, was found in Lake Michigan, and left little doubt as to the fate of John Wise.