Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier
developed the first hot-air balloon in 1783. They were brothers, who
worked at a paper-factory, which was a family run business. They found
that when they threw small pieces of paper in the fire, the paper would rise and
eventually come out of the chimney. These brothers came to the (incorrect)
conclusion that it was smoke, not heat, that was able to rise. However,
from this idea, they developed the first hot air balloon, and displayed it in
public for the first time on April 4th, 1783 in France.
Finally, the very first manned,
un-tethered, free-flight was documented on November 21st, 1783, which was
another great success. The Pilots began to carry bottles of Champagne on
their flights - not to drink - but to offer to the farmer whose field they
landed in to avoid being attacked by the angry men (usually carrying
pitchforks)! This is how the tradition of offering the landowner a bottle
of champagne when you land began!
The first flight with live animals
on board was on September 19, 1783, when the brothers flew a Sheep, a Hen, and a
Duck. This flight was successful, with no injuries to the animals, so on
October 15, 1783 the first manned-flight was performed, however for safety
reasons, the balloon was tethered to the ground.
