The first ever motion pictures shot from the stratosphere

[Atlas]

In January 1934, the National Geographic Society (NGS) and the U. S. Army Air Corps decided to collaborate on a program to build and launch a manned balloon to the then record altitude of 24 km (15 mi).

http://www.nwplace.com/pics/sborb1.jpg

This vehicle would be capable of carrying a crew of three in an airtight capsule, along with a laboratory of instruments.

http://www.nwplace.com/pics/sbinstru.jpg

On November 11, 1935, U. S. Army Air Corps Captains Albert W. Stevens and Orvil A. Anderson ascended in Explorer II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_II) from the Stratobowl in South Dakota.

http://www.nwplace.com/pics/sborb2.jpg

A crowd of around 20,000 viewers gathered to watch the event.

http://airandspace.si.edu/webimages/previews/6456p.jpg

They reached 72,395 feet, a world altitude record that would stand for two decades. Stevens took along a camera to take pictures, including the first ever motion pictures shot from the stratosphere:

http://www.photographs.galeymiller.org/Hobbies/Hiking/2012-Moon-Walks/i-d34QBLL/0/X3/Stratobowl-stitch-JBryant-X3.jpg (http://www.photographs.galeymiller.org/Hobbies/Hiking/2012-Moon-Walks/i-d34QBLL/0/X3/Stratobowl-stitch-JBryant-X3.jpg)
(click image to enlarge)

http://www.photographs.galeymiller.org/Hobbies/Hiking/2012-Moon-Walks/i-mkHXPKZ/0/X3/Strato-Release-Bryant-X3.jpg

Later, in a memoir published by National Geographic, Stevens recalled his own observations:

http://www.nwplace.com/pics/sbstev.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44908464/avalon/divers/stevens-stratosphere.jpg

Source: http://www.nwplace.com/sbhistory.html