Montgolfier, Joseph Michel

Montgolfier, Joseph Michel (zhôzef' mēshel' môNgôlfyā') [key], 1740–1810, and Jacques Étienne Montgolfier (zhäk ātyen') [key], 1745–99, French inventors, brothers. Together they invented the first practical balloon. On June 5, 1783, they sent up at Annonay, near Lyons, a large linen bag inflated with hot air; its flight covered more than a mile and lasted 10 min. In the same year a Montgolfier balloon sailed over Paris in the first manned free balloon flight.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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