Joseph-Michel Montgolfier

Joseph-Michel Montgolfier was a French inventor who, along with his brother Jacques-Étienne, developed the first successful hot air balloon in the late 18th century. Their balloon, made of fabric and paper with a heated air chamber, used buoyancy to lift off the ground, marking the beginning of human flight. In 1783, they conducted notable public demonstrations, including the first crewed flight with a sheep, duck, and rooster. Their innovations laid the foundation for modern aeronautics and significantly advanced our understanding of flight technology.