The invention of the hot air balloon represents one of the great milestones in human history. In fact, hot air balloons were developed over a century before other methods of manned flight.
We couldn't answer the question of who invented the hot air balloon without talking about the Montgolfier brothers: Joseph-Michel (1740) and Jacques-Étienne (1745). The Montgolfier family ran a workshop dedicated to paper manufacturing in the French town of Annonay (Ardèche). This craft allowed them to become familiar with materials and techniques essential to developing their invention.
Even in their childhood, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne had a strong curiosity about nature and physical phenomena. They found the inspiration for what would become their great invention while playing with a paper bag over a fire. Later on, they noticed how smoke rose from the chimney and that, when drying pieces of paper near the fire, they would lift into the air.
Reading Joseph Priestley's work on different types of air marked a turning point. It was then that the Montgolfier brothers concluded that, by using a gas lighter than atmospheric air, they could make objects rise.
The historic date of the hot air balloon's invention is June 4, 1783. That's when the Montgolfier brothers gave the first official demonstration of their invention. The immediate precursor to this event happened in December 1782, when they managed to get an 18-cubic-meter silk bag to rise 250 meters into the air.
Most historians associate the Montgolfier brothers' name with the question of who invented the hot air balloon, as well as with the date of June 4, 1783. However, recent research shows that the Brazilian priest Bartolomeu de Gusmão gave a similar demonstration on August 8, 1709, in Lisbon. Unfortunately, his subsequent persecution by the Inquisition buried that achievement.
The so-called Montgolfier balloon flew officially for the first time in a historic demonstration held in Annonay. The device, made of varnished paper and fabric, was blue and gold, measured 11 meters in diameter, and weighed 226 kilograms. Its design included golden fleur-de-lis at the top, while the lower part was decorated with the twelve zodiac signs and the royal emblem.
The first hot air balloon reached a height of 1,830 meters during a 10-minute flight. It's important to note that this was an unmanned flight. The first passengers would be a sheep, a duck, and a rooster in another demonstration that took place in Versailles on September 19, 1783; the aircraft reached Gonesse (8 km away), and the animals landed safely.
The old hot air balloon would not carry humans until October 15, 1783. This was a tethered flight (with the balloon anchored to the ground) conducted by François Pilâtre de Rozier. Finally, the first free manned flight took place on November 21, 1783, with Pilâtre de Rozier and Laurent d'Arlandes on board.
Once we've covered who invented the hot air balloon, it's important to talk about how it evolved. Indeed, from its invention in the 18th century to the 21st century, this aircraft has undergone remarkable changes.
The inventor of the 18th-century hot air balloon faced the challenge of building a fireproof container. The first balloons used a solid-fuel brazier placed below the lower opening. Within months, this primitive heating system was replaced by gas.
| Año | Inventor | Innovation | Technical Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1783 | Jacques Charles | Use of hydrogen | Reduced size and longer flight duration |
| 1785 | Pilâtre de Rozier | Hybrid system (hydrogen and hot air) | Altitude control and fuel savings |
| 1852 | Henri Giffard | Steam engine | Omnidirectional movement at 9 km/hour |
The field of ballooning experienced a true revolution when lighter-than-air gases entered the scene:
It was Jacques Charles who, on December 1, 1783, made the first manned flight using hydrogen as the lifting gas. Despite its obvious advantages, it was a highly flammable gas. This was tragically demonstrated in disasters such as the Rozière balloon (1785) and the Hindenburg (1937).
During the 19th century, coal gas (also known as town gas) was commonly used as an alternative to hydrogen. It was cheaper and safer, although its lifting power was lower.
After World War I (1918), helium quickly replaced hydrogen as a lifting gas. As efficient as its predecessor, it was much safer. Stable and affordable, this noble gas remains the undisputed king of modern ballooning.
| Aspect | Hot Air | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Flight duration | Generally a few hours | Can last several days |
| How altitude is controlled | Turning the burner | Releasing gas to go up and dropping ballast to go down |
| Flight cost | Relatively economical | More expensive |
| Recreational use | Very common | Infrequent |
| Main limitation | Flight duration | Maneuverability |
| Advance | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Lower cost of bottled gas burners | More comfortable and precise control of the aircraft. No need to carry large amounts of solid fuel. |
| Altitude control by turning the burner | More efficient system than gas ballast and ventilation. |
| Lighter and more resistant materials | Allows for the construction of larger and safer balloons. |
Did you know the first thing the inventors of the hot air balloon thought of was using their invention for defense? The Montgolfier brothers wanted to use it to invade the fortress of Gibraltar during the Anglo-Spanish War (1779–1783). Beyond these initial warlike intentions, the truth is that balloons are notable for their versatility:
Connectivity: Hot air balloons equipped with AI enabled the company Alphabet to bring internet access to rural areas through Project Loon.
Hot air balloons have transcended their original function as a means of transport to become cultural symbols. Indeed, their invention has permeated culture and collective imagination for over 200 years.
Culturally, the hot air balloon came to represent scientific progress and humanity's insatiable curiosity. It has also always been seen as a symbol of freedom and ambition. After all, it was the first invention that made the human dream of flight possible. Flight, far from being purely physical, elevates us spiritually and intellectually, leaving behind obstacles and limitations.
As a groundbreaking invention, the hot air balloon has been featured in numerous works of art:
Even though hot air balloons have been around for over 240 years, their flights continue to draw crowds. That's why they play a leading role in events around the world:
Hot air balloons are at a crossroads. On the one hand, they carry the historical legacy of being pioneers in air navigation. On the other, they must reinvent themselves to remain useful in a future increasingly focused on sustainability and technological advancement.
Environmental impact is the industry's greatest challenge. Among marine animals found dead, 42% of birds and 78% of turtles died after ingesting plastic from hot air balloons. Additionally, balloons made from polyurethane can take up to 450 years to degrade.
Balloon navigation also presents various technological limitations (wind dependence, limited maneuverability, short duration, etc.).
Tourist flights have a new frontier in stratospheric balloons. These will allow passengers to ascend to 30,000 meters for around two hours, providing an experience close to space travel.
The development of cutting-edge eco-friendly materials will be crucial to reducing the environmental impact of balloons. Current research focuses on creating 100% biodegradable envelopes made from biopolymers derived from renewable sources.
More and more balloons are adopting advanced aerospace technology to carry out complex missions. Some of these innovations include self-repairing materials, solar propulsion systems, and AI-based autonomous navigation.
Hybrid concepts are already being developed, combining steampunk aesthetics with advanced technology. In this regard, curved metal panels and alternative propulsion systems are expected to be incorporated to optimize sustainability and refresh their look. Try flying in a hot air balloon with Globus Kon-tiki.
