A tribute to the Montgolfier Brothers and the dream of flight
After the Montgolfiers opened the door, others rushed through. These are the aeronauts who expanded the frontiers of flight.
1754-1785
First human to fly (Nov 21, 1783)
Also first aviation fatality, died attempting to cross the English Channel
1746-1823
Invented the hydrogen balloon
First to use hydrogen gas for lift, flew 27 miles on Dec 1, 1783
1778-1819
First woman professional aeronaut
Became Napoleon's Chief of Air Services, died performing
1753-1809
First balloon crossing of English Channel
Also first to fly in America (Jan 9, 1793)
1769-1823
First successful parachute descent
Jumped from 3,000 feet on Oct 22, 1797
1809-1903
Scientific ballooning pioneer
Reached 35,000 feet, advancing meteorology
1884-1962
Stratospheric explorer
Reached 51,775 feet, inspired deep sea exploration too
1944-2007
First solo balloon circumnavigation
Completed June 2002 after six attempts
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, the first human to fly, was also the first to die in an aviation accident. On June 15, 1785, attempting to cross the English Channel in a hybrid balloon (hot air + hydrogen), fire broke out at 1,500 feet. He and his companion Pierre Romain plunged to their deaths near Boulogne.
Sophie Blanchard, the first woman professional aeronaut, died on July 6, 1819, when fireworks ignited her hydrogen balloon over the Tivoli Gardens in Paris. She was 41.
The sky exacts its tribute. But still we ascend.