Swiss-born Don Piccard worked on thermal passenger balloons at Raven Industries, from 1962 to1964, where he was credited with making hot air balloons safer using load tapes, lobular gore design, light weight long life fabric and non-conductive materials. On 13 April 1963, Piccard was one the first people to cross the English Channel in a hot air balloon.
Panelist Milt Kamen was appearing in the Off-Broadway play "The Typist and The Tiger" at the Orpheum Theatre.