Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were paper markers in France. But they had been interested in the idea of flying for many years. One night, Joseph was sitting beside the fireplace. He noted some small pieces of slightly burnt paper floating up the chimney. ‘Look at that’, he said to Stephen, ‘the force that is lifting that paper might be used to a lift object too’.
Soon the Montgolfier brother started experimenting with the idea. After carrying out many experiments, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On 5 June, 1783, in the village where they lived, they sent up this balloon with the entire village watching on. The balloon rose to a height of 6000 feet and moved slowly and smoothly through the air. It came down one mile from the village.
A month later, they sent up another hot air balloon, this time with a cock, a duck and a sheep in it. The balloon came down after travelling one and half miles. The animals were found safe and sound.
Sometime later, the brothers announced that they were going to make a balloon for a man to fly in. Thinking that it would be a dangerous experiment to try out, the king of France announced ‘Only criminals will be allowed to go up’. However Pilatre de Rozier, a young physics teacher, came forward. The balloon rose with him to a height of 84 feet and the young man came down unhurt and safe. Thus the world witnessed the first ‘flying-man’. Today hot-air balloons are flown for pleasure all over the world. It is also used fir forecasting the weather and in scientific research.
Soon the Montgolfier brother started experimenting with the idea. After carrying out many experiments, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On 5 June, 1783, in the village where they lived, they sent up this balloon with the entire village watching on. The balloon rose to a height of 6000 feet and moved slowly and smoothly through the air. It came down one mile from the village.
Sometime later, the brothers announced that they were going to make a balloon for a man to fly in. Thinking that it would be a dangerous experiment to try out, the king of France announced ‘Only criminals will be allowed to go up’. However Pilatre de Rozier, a young physics teacher, came forward. The balloon rose with him to a height of 84 feet and the young man came down unhurt and safe. Thus the world witnessed the first ‘flying-man’. Today hot-air balloons are flown for pleasure all over the world. It is also used fir forecasting the weather and in scientific research.
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