In 1777, Joseph Montgolfier was observing his laundry drying near a fire when he noticed that one of his shirts began to float after some straw was burned. Intrigued by this phenomenon, he decided to experiment by tossing small pieces of paper into the fireplace to see if they would rise too. When he observed them drifting out of the chimney, he concluded that smoke had the ability to lift objects into the air.
Eager to become an inventor, Joseph began to think about creating a craft that could capture smoke and heat to lift people off the ground. Together with his brother Jacques, they conducted experiments, which eventually led to the invention of the first hot-air balloon. They were initially too nervous to fly in it themselves, so instead, they placed a sheep, a duck, and a chicken in the basket hanging below the balloon for its first flight.
The experiment was a great success, and the animals landed safely, drawing a large crowd, including members of the French Royal Family, who gathered to watch the balloon soar into the sky. Motivated by this achievement, the Montgolfier brothers sought permission from the king to send humans into the balloon. With royal consent, the first flight with human passengers occurred in Paris on November 21, 1783, reaching an altitude of approximately 150 meters as it floated above the rooftops.
Through their experiments, the brothers eventually realized that it was heat, rather than smoke, that enabled objects to rise. On September 19, 1783, they showcased their first hot-air balloon, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
