This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012) |
The Montgolfier brothers | |
---|---|
Joseph-Michel (left) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, late 18th century | |
Born | Joseph-Michel: Annonay, Ardèche, France Jacques-Étienne: 6 January 1745, Annonay, Ardèche, France | 26 August 1740,
Died | Joseph-Michel: 26 June 1810 Jacques-Étienne: 2 August 1799 (aged 54), Serrières, France | (aged 69), Balaruc-les-Bains, France
Occupation(s) | Inventors, balloonists, paper manufacturers |
Known for | Making the first confirmed human flight, in a Montgolfière-style hot air balloon |
The Montgolfier brothers – Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (French pronunciation: [ʒozɛf miʃɛl mɔ̃ɡɔlfje]; 26 August 1740 – 26 June 1810)[1] and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (French pronunciation: [ʒak etjɛn mɔ̃ɡɔlfje]; 6 January 1745 – 2 August 1799)[1] – were aviation pioneers, balloonists and paper manufacturers from the commune Annonay in Ardèche, France. They invented the Montgolfière-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique, which launched the first confirmed piloted ascent by humans in 1783, carrying Jacques-Étienne.
Joseph-Michel also invented the self-acting hydraulic ram (1796) and Jacques-Étienne founded the first paper-making vocational school. Together, the brothers invented a process to manufacture transparent paper.