Book 23, Question 80
When Did People First Fly in a Balloon?
People first flew in a balloon on November 21, 1783, in a hot air balloon made by the Montgolfier brothers.
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.
Watch the videoWatch on YouTubeSee the series on Amazon
Quick answers
Who were the first fliers?
Pilatre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes.
Who flew before people?
A sheep, a duck and a rooster, on September 19, 1783.
What did the Montgolfier family make?
Paper, in France, for generations.
Source: Smithsonian
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.