Bertrand Piccard

About the Author

Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss psychiatrist, aviator, and environmentalist, is renowned for his pioneering spirit in exploration and innovation. Born into a family of adventurers—his grandfather Auguste Piccard explored the stratosphere and the ocean depths, while his father Jacques delved into the Mariana Trench—Piccard has continued this legacy by pushing the boundaries of human achievement. In 1999, he became the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon, a feat chronicled in his gripping memoir Around the World in 20 Days: The Story of Our History-Making Balloon Flight. Co-founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, Piccard champions solar-powered aviation, completing the first round-the-world flight in a solar airplane in 2016. His work bridges science, adventure, and sustainability, inspiring global efforts to combat climate change through clean technology.