Arctic/Cold Weather Balloon Anchor Note: This item is currently in storage. This item is a metal anchor plate that was developed to be the ground contact for an observation balloon attached to it by mooring lines. Balloons would be held stationary in the Arctic regions or northern European regions during the winter months by pouring a mixture of water and snow onto the anchor plate and letting it freeze solidly in ice to the ground. In such cold climates, this anchor plate took the place of the standard picket anchor -- when a standard picket anchor could not be driven into the frozen ground at all or as easily as in the warmer months and climates. It is 12 inches in diameter. Click here to return to the Featured World War I Artifacts index.