Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier

French aviator

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June 30, 2026

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Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, along with his brother Joseph-Michel, were French aviators credited with pioneering the hot-air balloon. Their experiments, supported by their family's prosperous paper factories, led to the discovery that heated air, when contained in a lightweight bag, could cause it to rise.123

The brothers made their first public demonstration on June 4, 1783, in Annonay, France. They filled a balloon with heated air by burning straw and wool, causing it to ascend approximately 3,000 feet. This led to further demonstrations, including one in Paris with animal passengers. On November 21, 1783, the first untethered manned flight took place in a Montgolfier balloon, carrying Pilatre de Rozier and François Laurent, marquis d’Arlandes, over Paris. Their innovations opened the way for future exploration of the upper atmosphere.124

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Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier
Joseph and Étienne were 2 of the 16 children of Pierre Montgolfier, whose prosperous paper factories in the small town of Vidalon, near Annonay, in southern France, ensured the financial support of their balloon experiments. While carrying on their father’s paper business, they maintained their interest in…
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Joseph and Étienne were 2 of the 16 children of Pierre Montgolfier, whose prosperous paper factories in the small town of Vidalon, near Annonay, in southern France, ensured the financial support of their balloon experiments. While carrying on their father’s paper business, they maintained their interest in…
Read More