Winzen Research

Winzen Research Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota, created balloons in the 1950s and 1960s that were used by the United States Navy in its Projects Helios, Skyhook, and Strato-Lab.

Balloons were also sold to the United States Air Force for use in Project Manhigh[1] and for a secret reconnaissance mission, called Moby Dick, to overfly the Soviet Union.

Polyethylene balloons vastly reduced the weight in comparison with previously used rubber materials.

Vera, eventually an accomplished balloonist herself, borrowed money from her parents to help start Winzen Research.

Balloon, parachute, gondola, and a trailing antenna made a craft close to 500 feet (150 m) tall.