-
The Montgolfier brothers, Joseph Etienne launched the first hot-air balloon making a demonstration lasting 10 minutes to Annonay, France from the marketplace. The event is celebrated annually in Annonay using a replica envelope, and is known as 'Le Reconstitution'. -
Joseph Etienne Montgolfier built the balloon from varnished taffeta that was 57 feet high and 47 feet in diameter. The flight took place at Versailles, France, in from of the King Louis XVI, his queen, and thousands of spectators. The balloons flew just over 2 miles and all the animals landed safely.
-
Made by Jacques Alexander Charles and Nicholas Louis Robert Charles, a 13420 cubic feet, varnished sild, and filled with hydrogen hot air balloon got launched in Paris, France and lasted 2.5 hours covering 25 miles, and landing at Nesle-La-Vallee. When it landed, Robert stepped out of the basket, which caused the balloon to rise again! This time to about 9000 feet, Jacques later landed safely. Today in France, gas balloons are known as Charlier's and hot air balloons are known as Montgilfier's.
-
Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and co-pilot Pierre Romain attempted to fly from France to England. It was designed for the use in an attempt to cross the English Channel on 15 Jun 1785. Unfortunately the combination of hydrogen and a naked flame used to heat the lower portion of the balloon was disastrous, and both were killed when the balloon caught fire. -
inflated with coal gas, Pilot Charles Green, co-pilots Robert Holland flew from London to Weiburg, Nassau, Germany. The distance was 378 miles, and it took 18hrs.
-
French engineer, Henri Giffard, flew the 1st powered, manned airship. Powered by a steam engine and propeller, the airship flew at about 5-mph and covered 17 miles from Paris to Trappes, France. The craft marked the beginning of the practical airship
-
in New York City, He made his first free flight in 1858 from Ottowa Canada.
-
The 58th balloon escaped the Siege of Paris. Balloon 'Le Monge'. Pilot Raoul, and 2 passengers. Landed at Chateauroux, flight of 260km. Also that night, the 59th balloon flew from Paris. Balloon 'Le General-Faidherbe'. Pilot Van Seymoutier, one passenger and 5 dogs! Landed Nr Sainte-Foy-La-Grande, a flight of 354.18miles in 10 hrs 30 mins.
-
James Glaisher and balloonist Henry Tracey Coxwell ascended from Wolverhampton in their gas balloon. Losing control, they rose to an estimates 35,000 feet, the greatest height then reached by gas balloon. Glaisher fainted due to a lack of oxygen, and Coxwell lost the use of his hands. He managed to pull the gas valve-cord with his teeth to bring them down to a safe altitude. -
Swedish pilot Salomon August Andree, with co-pilots Nils Stringberg and Knut Fraenkel set off on the first manned Arctic Flight in a 4800 cubic foot gas balloon. They launched from Danskon, Svalbard and were never seen again. In 1930, remains of the expedition were found 295 miles from the launch field.
-
Albert Santos Dumont from Brazil was awarded the Deutsch Prize of 125,000 francs for flying a gas airship, from the Aero club in Paris, around the Eiffel Tower and back again in 30minutes