Balloon altitude record, 1901, (1932). On 31 July 1901, German meteorologists Arthur Berson and Reinhard S?ring reached a height of 10,800 meters (6.7 miles) above sea level. At 6000 metres they required compressed oxygen. At 10,000 metres both scientists were rendered unconscious. They regained consciousness and were able to land their balloon near Briesen, 7.5 hours after their flight began. From "Die Eroberung Der Luft", (The Conquest of the Air), cigarette card album produced by the Garb?ty cigarette factory, 1932. Eugene and Moritz Garb?ty, who were Jewish, were driven out of business by the Nazis in the late 1930s, and forced to sell their factory which lay empty for over 70 years. [Garbaty Cigarettenfabrik, Berlin-Pankow, 1932]