Montgolfier Brothers

Joseph and Étienne de Montgolfier invented the hot air balloon. After several successful tries, the two brothers decided to organize a public demonstration on June 4, 1783. Around 100 curious spectators were on hand. The 11-meter wide silk and paper balloon was inflated over a fire of straw and wool and rose to an altitude of about 180 meters. The balloon travelled two kilometers in ten minutes and made a soft landing.

On September 19, 1783, in the presence of Louis XVI and a huge crowd gathered in front of the Versailles palace, the Montgolfier brothers presented their most recent balloon. Made of coton and paper, the 12.5 by 17-meter balloon was elegantly painted.

Aboard the balloon, in a suspended cage, a rooster, a duck and a sheep became the first balloon passengers in history. The balloon rose to 500 meters and travelled three kilometers in eight minutes. The animals returned unharmed.