Montgolfier Brothers

Two French brothers are credited with being the first to achieve flight. Joseph and Jacquest Montgolfier was successful in designing, and building a hot-air balloon. On June 4, 1783, the unmanned tethered balloon rose 6562 feet (2000 meters). The 800 cubic meter balloon was made of cloth and paper. The air in the balloon was heated by the burning of wool and straw.

The first manned flight occured on October 15, 1783 when the brothers launched a tethered balloon to the height of 84 feet (25 meters). On November 21, 1783 the first untethered flight was accomplished over a distance of 5.5 miles (9 km). The flight lasted for 25 minutes.