18th century aviation

In the 18th century, aviation began as a pursuit of human flight through lighter-than-air technology. Pioneers like the Montgolfier brothers developed the hot air balloon, successfully launching the first crewed flights in 1783. These balloons floated by using heated air, which was lighter than the cooler air outside. The era also saw early concepts for gliders and designs for mechanical flight, though these were not yet realized. Overall, the 18th century laid the groundwork for future aviation advancements, sparking imagination and curiosity about human flight.