Montgolfier Brothers

French inventors of the aerostat (balloon).

Joseph Montgolfier Born Aug. 26, 1740, in Annonay, Ardèche Department; died June 26, 1810, in Balaruc-les-Bains, Hérault Department.

Jacques Etienne Montgolfier Born Jan. 7, 1745, in Annonay, Ardéche Department; died Aug. 2, 1799, in Serriéres, Ardéche Department.

The first flight of the Montgolfier brothers’ balloon (a fire balloon, also known as montgolfier), which was filled with hot smoke, took place on June 5, 1783, in Annonay. The first manned flight in this type of balloon was on Nov. 21, 1783, in Paris.