The Balloon-Hoax is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1844. It tells the story of a group of people who are tricked into believing that a balloon has been launched from New York City to Europe. The hoax is perpetrated by a newspaper editor, who fabricates a story about a balloonist who has supposedly made the journey in only three days. The hoax is eventually revealed, but not before it has caused a sensation in the city and sparked a debate about the feasibility of such a feat. The story is a satire on the gullibility of the public and the power of the press to manipulate public opinion.
By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1844 · Genre: Mystery, Fantasy, Horror · 2 chapters