DAFers were treated to a night of special aviation history as Steve and Patrice Demory presented the illustrious career of Professor Thaddeus Lowe, American Civil War aeronaut, scientist and inventor.  Dressed in period costumes and presenting through the characters of Prof. Lowe and his actress wife Leontine, Steve and Patrice described how balloons were first used by the Union as reconnaissance and communication platforms.  Prof. Lowe's achievements were not confined to the war years, however, as he had a second career as a very succesful inventor (a novel hydrogen-enriched gas process) and built a scenic railway and resort in the San Gabriel mountains (we all felt a little less special after hearing about all of the exploits of this remarkable self-taught man).  As an added bonus to the night, the great-great grandson of Thaddeus Lowe, Lance Ferm, was also present at the meeting and had a very nice display of Lowe-family artifacts and materials.