November 21st, 1783: The First Untethered Hot Air Balloon Flight
On November 21st, 1783, a pivotal moment in human history took flight above the streets of Paris. Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes, two intrepid adventurers, ascended into the sky aboard a hot air balloon designed by the Montgolfier brothers. This marked the first untethered manned flight, a feat that captivated the world and ignited the dreams of soaring above the Earth.
The balloon, a magnificent spectacle of linen and paper, was adorned with painted decorations and stood over 70 feet tall. As the heated air filled the balloon, it gently lifted off the ground, carrying Pilâtre de Rozier and d'Arlandes on a 25-minute journey that covered approximately 5.5 miles. They flew over the rooftops of Paris, reaching an altitude of around 300 feet, before safely landing near the Butte-aux-Cailles.
This pioneering flight on November 21st, 1783, was a landmark achievement in the history of science and technology. It demonstrated the possibility of human flight, paving the way for the development of aviation and inspiring generations of inventors and explorers to reach for the skies.
This event truly marked a new era in human exploration and our understanding of what was possible.
The Montgolfier brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne, had been experimenting with balloons for months, initially using heated air from burning straw and wool to lift unmanned balloons. Their public demonstrations drew crowds and sparked the imagination of Pilâtre de Rozier, a physics and chemistry teacher, who volunteered to be the first human passenger.