Once Upon a Time, They Flew an Elephant!
- Zohreh Khosravi
- 1 day ago
Once Upon a Time, They Flew an Elephant! The phrase “flying an elephant” among Iranians originates from one of the most astonishing events of the Naser al-Din Shah era. This expression, now used to describe undertaking challenging and unusual tasks, dates back to the first balloon flight in Tehran, when the balloon’s immense size reminded Iranians of an elephant and created an unforgettable spectacle. Read More in Sepehran Blog!
Of course, the balloon did not arrive flying; rather, it was decided that it would be flown for the first time in Tehran. Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who was intrigued by Western innovations, ordered a demonstration of this bizarre invention in Mashq Square after hearing that French people who had come to Tehran claimed to have created a flying device. News of this spectacular show thrilled the naive people, drawing a massive crowd to the square.
The French began preparing their equipment and inflating the balloon. It grew larger and larger until it turned into a massive, spherical monstrosity. They sealed the balloon’s opening and attached a basket beneath it. A person climbed into the basket, the ropes were cut, and the balloon lifted off the ground.
The balloon soared into the sky, filling the square with cheers of excitement. Some spectators clapped in awe, while others, gripped by fear, resorted to prayer. However, it wasn’t long before the airborne giant began its descent, landing in a garden.
Since the balloon’s size resembled an elephant in the eyes of the people, the phrase “flying an elephant” became a metaphor for performing impossible feats.
Following this historic event, some prominent individuals voiced their opposition, arguing that ballooning could infringe on people’s privacy. The peak of the protests came when flowers were thrown at the Shah from a balloon. Courtiers warned the Shah that if something dangerous were dropped instead of flowers, his life could be at risk. This warning soured the Shah’s view of ballooning, prompting him to ban such activities.
Despite the ban, enthusiasm for the invention persisted among the students and teachers of Dar ul-Funun. Later, Mozaffar al-Din Shah and even Mohammad Ali Shah showed interest in balloons, though neither managed to make significant use of them. Interestingly, one of Mohammad Ali Shah’s ordered balloons was eaten by rats and never saw the sky.
