The History of Hot Air Balloons: When Were They Invented?
Sep 29, 2025
Executive Summary
- Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier are credited with inventing lighter-than-air flight during the Age of Enlightenment in France.
- After doing a test run with animals, the Montgolfier brothers launched the first manned flight in November of 1783, carrying François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes.
- Since 1783’s paper-and-silk balloon lift-off, hot air ballooning has evolved into a safe, popular activity, featuring durable nylon envelopes, propane burners, and advanced navigation tools.
- Today, companies like Rainbow Ryders carry the hot air ballooning legacy forward with modern equipment and skilled pilots, creating safe, unforgettable rides for recreation, tourism, and festivals.
Tracing the Origins of Hot Air Balloons
Few inventions encapsulate humans’ imagination and limitlessness quite like the hot air balloon. Seeing people float peacefully above landscapes in a colorful, billowing balloon can fuel a resurgence of childlike wonder, and it is all made possible by the daring spirit of early aviation pioneers.
With such a rich history serving as the foundation of every flight, many first-time riders ask, “When were hot air balloons invented?” The answer takes us back to the Age of Enlightenment, a time of experimentation, curiosity, and bold vision in late 18th-century France.
By exploring hot air balloon history, you’ll not only learn about the origins of lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles, but you will also better understand the impressive level of innovation that this unique form of air travel has gone through over the last 250 years.
This detailed guide delves into the story of who invented the hot air balloon, when the first hot air balloon flight took place, and how ballooning has evolved into the safe, scenic activity that is enjoyed throughout the modern world.
When Was the First Hot Air Balloon Flight?
The first hot air balloon flight was organized by a pair of French brothers in the fall of 1783. However, the planning and impact of this event bled into other years. Read through the following information to learn more about the buildup, execution, and payoff of the first manned and unmanned hot air balloon flights.
Early Concepts of Flight
The dream of flight is ancient, even preceding the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci, who was known to draft up innovative aeronautical designs in the late 15th and early 16th century, exploring the idea of LTA travel. In fact, many philosophers, inventors, and artists imagined floating in the sky centuries before the first hot air balloon even existed. Still, it took time for technology to evolve enough to bring these ambitious ideas to life.
The Montgolfier Brothers’ Breakthrough
The most prominent turning point in hot air balloon history came around 1783 when Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier invented the first functional LTA vehicle. With a humble background in paper making, these two French brothers were credited with figuring out how a hot air balloon works.
Their breakthrough, which was supposedly fueled by watching ash rise in a fireplace, led to the creation of the world’s first viable hot air balloon. Even though the 1783 hot air balloon’s large envelope was only made of paper and silk, it was enough to carry out the first unmanned and manned LTA flights and kickstart the evolution of hot air ballooning.
On September 19th, 1783, these French brothers successfully launched a sheep, a duck, and a rooster, demonstrating the potential for human flight.
The First Human Flight
Just a couple of months after transporting animals, the Montgolfier brothers took hot air ballooning up a notch by carrying people. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes became the first humans to rise into the sky aboard a Montgolfier balloon. This free flight soared over the city for about 25 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of almost 3,000 feet—it created a thrilling and inspiring moment in hot air balloon history.
Public Reaction
The Montgolfiers’ spectacle mesmerized the large crowds gathered in Paris. In response, word spread rapidly across Europe. In no time, ballooning became a symbol of innovation and adventurous fun, which inspired further experimentation and cemented the Montgolfier brothers’ place in hot air balloon history.
Key Inventors and Innovators
Some of the most noteworthy inventors and innovators tied to hot air ballooning include:
- Joseph-Michel Montgolfier – Credited as a co-inventor of the hot air balloon. His curiosity about heated air rising prompted him and his brother to execute the first successful hot air balloon flight.
- Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier – Sharing the same vision as his brother, he helped design and build the first viable hot air balloon, bringing the art of hot air ballooning to life.
- Pilâtre de Rozier – A French teacher of chemistry and physics. He solidified his place in aviation history by being one of the first humans to ascend in a hot air balloon.
- François Laurent d’Arlandes – A French marquis and soldier who was the co-pilot of the first manned free flight, helping prove that a hot air balloon is capable of carrying passengers safely.
- Ed Yost – Often referred to as the “Father of Modern Hot Air Ballooning.” He drastically improved the safety and practicality of hot air balloon flight by introducing propane burners and nylon envelopes in the 1950s.
In the centuries separating the Montgolfiers and Yost, improvements in the availability of fabrics for envelopes and materials to create burners and navigation tools helped transform ballooning from a dangerous and experimental practice into a refined form of aviation.
Early Milestones in Hot Air Balloon History
The first few decades of hot air ballooning introduced the craft and gave people a taste of how this invention would be used, from carrying passengers to aiding scientific research. Read through the following considerations to understand how hot air balloons quickly became more than a novelty.
Passenger Flights
After the initial demonstrations, hot air balloon flights quickly expanded to include more passengers. Flights were initially limited to nobility, a social class with political, economic, or military standing. However, as hot air balloons became more popular, a wider range of adventurers got the opportunity to float above the landscape, making hot air ballooning a cultural phenomenon.
Scientific Exploration
By the 19th century, hot air balloons became an important scientific tool. Meteorologists relied on them to study the atmosphere, while explorers used them to understand wind patterns and weather-related phenomena. Thanks to early hot air balloon flights, the accuracy of aerial photography and early atmospheric data collection was greatly enhanced.
Global Expansion
After taking over France, the craze of hot air ballooning quickly spread across the rest of Europe and other continents. In fact, Britain, Italy, and the United States all saw balloon launches in the years following 1783. The technology surrounding hot air ballooning inspired both admiration and competition between the various countries.
Evolution of Hot Air Balloon Technology
Ballooning today looks dramatically different from how it did in 1783. The table below illustrates the evolution of hot air balloon technology.
| Category | In the Past | In the Present |
| Envelope Materials | Early balloons were crafted from fragile and flammable materials like paper and silk | Modern balloons are made from strong, heat-resistant nylon and polyester for durability and safety |
| Heating Methods | Early flights relied on open, wood- and straw-fueled fires, which made control difficult | In modern balloons, propane burners provide precise heating, giving pilots better altitude and stability control |
| Navigation Tools | Pilots relied solely on visual landmarks and the direction of the wind | Pilots are equipped with navigation and communication tools, like GPS, altimeters, variometers, and radios |
Cultural and Recreational Impact
Hot air ballooning did more than just change transportation and science; it influenced the world’s culture, art, and tourism scenes. Read through the following considerations to learn how hot air balloons’ colorful presence in the skies continues to inspire celebration and creativity.
Festivals and Competitions
With the start of balloon races and hot air balloon festivals, LTA travel transcended science and became a cultural spectacle. These events of yore showcased daring flights and laid the groundwork for modern-day events like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is the biggest celebration of hot air ballooning, featuring hundreds of balloons filling the sky.
Artistic Influence
The inherent beauty of hot air balloons inspired artists, writers, and advertisers alike. Colorful balloon imagery has appeared in everything from 18th-century paintings to modern branding, evoking a sense of adventure, freedom, and innovation in viewers.
Tourism and Scenic Rides
With a long history behind it, hot air ballooning has become incredibly popular for tourism and celebratory events. In fact, every day, people from around the world book flights for weddings, anniversaries, or simply to experience the wonder of floating silently above stunning landscapes.
Modern Hot Air Ballooning
When compared to flights in the 18th and 19th centuries, modern-day hot air ballooning is safer, more advanced, and more accessible. Read through the following information to educate yourself on the innovations in technology and training that have allowed enthusiasts worldwide to enjoy flights while honoring the pioneers who started it all.
Technological Advancements
Some examples of technological advancements that make today’s balloons safer, more comfortable, and more reliable than ever are:
- Propane burner systems – Offers precise, consistent heat control that facilitates smooth altitude adjustments.
- Durable envelope fabrics – Modern nylon and polyester envelopes can resist heat, tearing, and weather exposure better than paper and silk
- Advanced navigation tools – GPS, altimeters, and variometers give pilots accurate real-time data while they are flying.
- FAA-certified safety standards – Training and equipment regulations ensure each pilot is operating their hot air balloon as safely as possible.
- Improved basket design – The inclusion of sturdier materials and padded edges has enhanced passenger comfort and safety.
Thanks to the inventions above, balloon rides are now a mainstream adventure activity.
Popular Ballooning Locations
Nowadays, hot air ballooning has become a significant draw for tourism, especially in the southwestern portion of the United States, which is home to some of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the U.S. Some examples of popular ballooning cities in the southwestern United States are:
Well-established hot air ballooning companies like Rainbow Ryders fly in the four cities above, drawing in hot air balloon enthusiasts from all over the world.
Preserving History
Museums, aviation societies, and historical reenactments of early hot air balloon flights keep the legacy alive. By showcasing original balloon models and retelling the stories of pioneers, the hot air ballooning industry has been able to keep the spirit of the Montgolfiers alive.
Soaring Through Time
Even though the first fit-to-fly hot air balloon was invented by French brothers in 1783, the centuries of aviation progress following the Montgolfiers’ first hot air balloon flight were crucial to the craft. We have gone from fragile paper balloons to durable, propane-heated nylon envelopes. The robust history of hot air ballooning displays human ingenuity and our passionate desire to explore the skies.
At Rainbow Ryders, we honor the rich tradition of hot air ballooning while embracing cutting-edge technology and implementing rigorous safety training. Our FAA-certified pilots embody the adventurous spirit of the Montgolfiers while leveraging things like state-of-the-art burners and advanced navigation tools, which allow us to fly in all four corners of the southwestern United States.
Since you already learned who invented the hot air balloon, you can continue following your intrigue by taking flight yourself. Step into the basket, rise with the wind, and get a taste of the wonder that captivated the world nearly 250 years ago.
Connect with history by booking a flight through our website, or you can contact us if you are seeking more information.
