Book 23, Question 80
When Did People First Fly in a Balloon?
Long ago, people only dreamed of flying. Then some clever brothers built a balloon. And people finally flew! Their balloon was decorated with bright paintings.
More fun facts
- Joseph Montgolfier built and flew his first small hot air balloons late in 1782.
- The brothers' big public launch was in the town square of Annonay on June 4, 1783.
- Their family had made paper in France for generations.
- On September 19, 1783, they sent the first living passengers aloft: a sheep, a duck and a rooster.
- A scientist named Jacques Charles flew the first small hydrogen balloon in Paris that same year.
- On November 21, 1783, Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes became the first people to make a free flight.
- Balloons became such a craze that people decorated hats, clocks and wallpaper with them.
Sources: Smithsonian
Questions kids ask
Where did the animal passengers take off?
They took off from Versailles, in France.