The method of preparing and making gas-tight joins in the skins was known only to a family from Alsatia called Weinling, who were employed by the Royal Engineers for many years.
Large quantities of goldbeater's skin were used to make the gas bags of early balloons created by the Corps of Royal Engineers at Chatham, Kent starting in 1881–82 and culminating in 1883 with The Heron, of 10,000 cu ft capacity.