Although unmanned hot-air balloons are mentioned in Chinese history, the Montgolfier brothers of France are credited with the design and build of the first manned hot-air balloon, though they were not the ones who initially flew in it, that honour being given to a sheep, a duck and a chicken.
The first people to fly were Jean-Francois Pilatre de Roziere and the Marquis Francois d'Arlandes in 1783.
Monsieur Roziere's name is still well known in modern ballooning as a Roziere design of balloon with its combination of gas and hot air, is used for around the world ballooning adventures. |
