Things you did not know about our fair state, from the Book of Days:

So? you say. So what? SO? Calm down. First of all, consider that she made a famous flight at the 1933 World's Fair, an era in which female balloonists, or montgolfieritrixes, were not exactly common. Second, her husband was named Jean. SO? Jean and Jeanette, how cute. We're happy for them. Hope they danced down the aisle in a famous newsreel. Would you stop it? Consider: her husband was a balloonist as well. As was his brother, Auguste. As was his son. And his grandson.

You might say "ballooning was in their blood," but that would lead to an embolism. You might say it's the most famous 20th century balloonist family, and even though the competition is scant you'd be right; it's a remarkable family. But concentrate.

Pioneering guy who went really high up in the atmosphere.

Named Jean Piccard.

Anything coming together yet?

Sigh. Okay, then: the captain of the Enterprise 1701-D / E was named after a Minnesota U of M professor. Yes, he was.

Here's the real Picard.