Otto C. Winzen (1917–1979) was a German-American aeronautics engineer who made significant advances in the materials and construction of high-altitude balloons after World War II. Winzen emigrated to the United States in 1937 and spent time during the war in internment camps. He studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Detroit. After World War II, Winzen became involved in high-altitude balloon research, working with Jean Piccard. In 1949 he started his own company with his wife Vera Simons, called Winzen Research, Inc. He created a number of plastic balloons, in particular of polyethylene, which he sold to the United States Army and Navy including the Skyhook balloon, and the Air Force's Project Manhigh. In 1972 he developed the Winzen Research Balloon, which achieved the record for the highest unmanned balloon flight, setting a record altitude of 51,816 m over Chico, California. Otto C. Winzen Lifetime Achievement Award The Otto C. Winzen Lifetime Achievement Award is given out biannually by the American Institution of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) in memory of Winzen's influence on modern ballooning. Sources References 1979 deaths American aerospace engineers German emigrants to the United States University of Detroit Mercy alumni Year of birth uncertain