Auguste Piccard was a scientist and inventor whose exploring instincts took him to record heights and depths. He and his twin brother, Jean Felix, initially achieved prominence together, but Auguste's accomplishments were more sensational in nature and gained him a greater degree of popularity. The two brothers were influenced by their father, Jules, a chemistry professor, and their uncle, Paul, who was commercially involved with hydroelectric projects. Auguste and Jean Felix earned doctorates at the Zurich Polytechnic School. Both went on to professorships at various institutions. While Jean Felix moved on to the University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, Auguste stayed in Europe to work on his famous projects.

Even as a student at the Zurich School, Auguste was laying plans for his ventures. The Piccards began making balloon ascents in 1913 and participated in the balloon section of the Swiss Army...