Joseph, born 26 August 1740, Etienne, born 6 January 1745 in Annonay,
France. The brothers De Montgolfier, were principal directors of the
family paper industry.
Joseph and Entienne commenced aeronautical experiments in 1771 involving
inflammable gas, later called hydrogen. On 5 June 1783 they launched a
30 foot diameter linen and paper spherical balloon, open at the bottom to
receive heat from a fire on the ground, which rose to a height of 6000 feet
and was aloft for ten minutes.
September 19, 1783 the brothers launched the first living creatures -- a
duck, a sheep, and a rooster -- on a successful eight minute two mile
flight.
On 21, November 1783 they launched the first manned free flight over Paris.
Although denied the privilege of being passengers on this historic flight of
man, it was their genius and spirit which launched mankind on its conquest
of the air.
Etienne died 2 August 1799, Joseph on 26 June 1810.
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