Hot Air Balloon History — Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the hot air balloon?
The hot air balloon was invented by the Montgolfier brothers — Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier — French paper manufacturers from Annonay. They built their first experimental balloons in 1782, inspired by watching smoke rise from chimneys, and presented the first public demonstration on 4 June 1783.
When was the first hot air balloon invented?
The first public flight of a hot air balloon took place on 4 June 1783 in Annonay, France. The unmanned balloon, made of linen and lined paper and about 11 metres in diameter, rose to nearly 1,830 feet. Earlier, in 1709, Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão demonstrated a small unmanned hot air balloon before the court of King John V of Portugal.
When did the first manned hot air balloon flight happen?
The first manned free flight took place on 21 November 1783 in Paris. Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes flew a Montgolfier balloon for about 25 minutes, covering roughly 9 kilometres and reaching about 900 metres in altitude.
Who were the first passengers in a hot air balloon?
Before humans flew, the Montgolfier brothers tested their balloon at Versailles on 19 September 1783 with three animal passengers: a sheep, a duck and a rooster. All three survived the flight unharmed — proving that flight was safe for living creatures.
How does a hot air balloon work today?
Modern hot air balloons work on the same principle as in 1783: hot air is lighter than the surrounding cooler air, creating lift. A propane burner heats the air inside the envelope; the pilot controls altitude by adjusting the heat. Read our full guide to how a hot air balloon works.
