Joseph-Michel Montgolfier

Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810) was a French paper manufacturer and inventor who, along with his brother Jacques-Étienne, is credited with developing the first successful hot air balloon. Their pioneering work in aerostatics culminated in a landmark flight in 1783, where a balloon they created carried a sheep, a duck, and a rooster to an altitude of nearly 500 meters, marking a significant milestone in the history of aviation.