1740-1810


French paper manufaturer and inventor - with his brother Joseph-Michel - of the hot-air ballon.

In 1782 Michel Montgolfier devised a means of inflating a silk container with hot air by suspending it over fire. A year later the two brothers launched a hot air ballon, which was 9 meters in diameter and rose to 2000 meters, remaining aloft for ten minutes. Later that year Etienne launched several ballons in Paris; one flight lasted 25 minutes and carried two passengers.

www link :
History of Balloning