I tried to make an effort to explain the prior history, but having a direct access to the old link will serve better justice:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/291677/message/1230743782/ah+memories
Reading the article above in my original post for this thread reminded me of Charles Platt's engineering skills mentioned in Wired Magazine:
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/02/ff_fasterthanwind/all/1
If Melody were still around, I'm sure she would be rolling around on the floor with laughter - not that I consider her a respectable figure.
My thinking on this subject about the utility of balloons is that it is a bit premature to gloat over Charles, but the news may give him reason to pause on the engineering front.