First manned flight

On October 15, 1783, a certain Francis Pilatre De Rozier, a member of the Academy of Sciences, took off with a Montgolfiere, a type of balloon named after the inventors. He reached a height of 28 meters and was connected to the earth by means of a cable. This height was improved upon in the following days from 60 to 80 metres and then twice, 96 metres. The second time De Rozier was accompanied by the marquis d'Arlandes. On November 21, 1783, at 13.45 hours, the first untethered / free flight in the history of mankind was at last made.

At a height of approximately 90 metres, both gentlemen took off their hat for the crowd, which had gathered beneath them and was holding its breath in suspense as it watched. The balloon then rose to a height of 900 metres and eventually landed eight km further after a 25 minute flight.

Of course in time, various changes were to be made to the balloon. A burner was attached in which straw and wool could be burned. A circular walkway was added at the bottom part of the balloon, in which the first 'aeronauts' could stand.

For even later types, a strap was constructed which looked quite like a small boat. In the beginning these small 'boats' were equipped with a kind of oar, because they believed they would be able to row in the air. They believed the balloon could be steered in a certain direction.