Aerostatische Machine

The first hot air balloon to rise with a human on board took place on October 15, 1783. Following the success of previous experiments using unmanned balloons and animal aeronauts, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier became the first human to make an ascent. It became clear from this event and a subsequent attempt that another aeronaut would be needed to balance the weight in the balloon. On October 19, 1783, Giroud de Villete joined de Rozier in a tethered Montgolfier balloon that was aloft above Paris for nine minutes and reached a height of of 330 feet. The Marquis d'Arlandes had also accompanied de Rozier in a tethered ascension that day. The first free flight with human passengers was to follow shortly thereafter. On November 21, 1783, de Rozier made an untethered ascent along with the Marquis Francois d'Arlandes. King Louis XVI had originally decreed that condemned criminals would be the only men allowed to risk their lives in a free balloon, but de Rozier lobbied for and eventually was granted this honor.