Montgolfier Brothers Collection

The Montgolfier balloon making its ascent at the Chateau de la Muette
5310108 The Montgolfier balloon making its ascent at the Chateau de la Muette; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the Montgolfier balloon making its ascent at the Chateau de la Muette)

The ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon
3732667 The ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon from the Cremorne Gardens, London)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585988 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585987 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585982 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Montgolfier brothers making a hot-air balloon ascent
5308094 The Montgolfier brothers making a hot-air balloon ascent.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the Montgolfier brothers making a hot-air balloon ascent at Versailles in front of the French royal)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585984 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585989 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585986 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585985 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

The Montgolfier brothers balloon launch from Versailles in the presence of the king, September 1783
FLO4656981 The Montgolfier brothers balloon launch from Versailles in the presence of the king, September 1783. Joseph-Michel Montgolfier and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier.; (add.info)

The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers
3585983 The Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers; (add.info.: Copperplate engraving of the Hydrogen Balloon designed by the Montgolfier Brothers)

Flight of the Montgolfier Brothers balloon at Versailles, 19 September 1783 (engraving)
3648072 Flight of the Montgolfier Brothers balloon at Versailles, 19 September 1783 (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Montgolfier Brothers (chromolitho)
1094155 The Montgolfier Brothers (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Montgolfier Brothers)

The Montgolfier Brothers first balloon ascent, 1783 (chromolitho)
1094135 The Montgolfier Brothers first balloon ascent, 1783 (chromolitho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Montgolfier Brothers first balloon ascent, 1783)

Invention of the hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, France, 1783 (chromolitho)
1093600 Invention of the hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, France, 1783 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Liebig educational card)

Department of Ardeche in south-central France (chromolitho)
724681 Department of Ardeche in south-central France (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Department of Ardeche in south-central France)

Ascent of a Mongolfiere hot air balloon at Calais in 1785 (colour litho)
CHT259909 Ascent of a Mongolfiere hot air balloon at Calais in 1785 (colour litho) by French School, (18th century); Louvre (Cabinet de dessins), Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; French

First demonstration of a hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, Annonay, France, 4 June 1783 (chromolitho)
974455 First demonstration of a hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, Annonay, France, 4 June 1783 (chromolitho) by European School

First manned balloon flight, November 1783 (chromolitho)
974456 First manned balloon flight, November 1783 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: First manned free (untethered) balloon flight, Annonay, France

Ascent of the Montgolfier Brothers Aerostatic Globe, Paris, 1 December 1783 (engraving)
972699 Ascent of the Montgolfier Brothers Aerostatic Globe, Paris, 1 December 1783 (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Joseph Montgolfier, French ballooning pioneer (chromolitho)
1094323 Joseph Montgolfier, French ballooning pioneer (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Joseph Montgolfier (1740-1810), French ballooning pioneer

The history of balloons (colour litho)
3099321 The history of balloons (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The history of balloons)

Balloons, airships and other flying machines (engraving)
5216888 Balloons, airships and other flying machines (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Balloons, airships and other flying machines)

First untethered flight of the Montgolfier Brothers hot air balloon, 1783 (chromolitho)
974619 First untethered flight of the Montgolfier Brothers hot air balloon, 1783 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

First demonstration of a hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, Annonay, France, 4 June 1783 (chromolitho)
1094279 First demonstration of a hot air balloon by the Montgolfier Brothers, Annonay, France, 4 June 1783 (chromolitho) by French School

The Montgolfier Brothers, French ballooning pioneers (chromolitho)
1093873 The Montgolfier Brothers, French ballooning pioneers (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Montgolfier Brothers, French ballooning pioneers)

Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier (1745-1799), 1790s
Jacques-E tienne Montgolfier (1745-1799), 1790s. Private Collection

Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier (1745-1799), 1889
Jacques-E tienne Montgolfier (1745-1799), 1889. Private Collection

The Montgolfier Brothers, Mid of 1790s. Private Collection

Joseph Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810), c. 1790. Private Collection

Joseph Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810), 1889. Private Collection

Joseph Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810), . Private Collection

Figure and exact proportions of the Aerostatic Globe, 1786. Found in the Collection of Library of Congress, Washington D. C

Montgolfier in the clouds. Constructing of air balloons, 1784. Private Collection

Paul Tissandiers balloon license, 1904
Paul Tissandiers balloon license, issued by the Aero-Club de France on 7 January 1904. French aeronaut Paul Tissandier (1881-1945)

Early balloon designs, artwork C013 / 7577
Early balloon designs. Artwork showing several early balloon designs. The earliest design (top left) is by Francesco Lana de Terzi (1631-1687)

Montgolfiers first balloon flight
First hot air balloon demonstration, historical artwork. On 5 June 1783, the Montgolfier brothers gave their first public demonstration of the hot air balloon at Annonay, France

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The Montgolfier Brothers, pioneers of aviation, forever changed the course of history with their groundbreaking invention - the hot air balloon. On 4 June 1783, in Annonay, France, they astounded onlookers as they successfully demonstrated their creation for the first time. This momentous event marked the birth of manned flight. With each ascent, their balloons soared higher and farther. The Flight of the Montgolfier Brothers balloon at Versailles on 19 September 1783 remains a vivid engraving capturing this remarkable achievement. Their ingenuity knew no bounds as they continued to push boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide. In November 1783, history was made once again when the brothers embarked on their first manned balloon flight. Suspended beneath a colorful chromolitho masterpiece, they defied gravity and ventured into uncharted skies. It was an awe-inspiring sight that left spectators in utter amazement. Their fame spread like wildfire across France and beyond its borders. From Calais to Paris, people gathered to witness these magnificent aerostatic globes gracefully ascend towards heavens above. The Department of Ardeche in south-central France became synonymous with innovation thanks to these visionary siblings. Joseph Montgolfier himself emerged as a French ballooning pioneer whose name would forever be etched into history books through vibrant chromolithos depicting his contributions to aviation's evolution. Balloons became more than just flying machines; they symbolized humanity's insatiable desire for exploration and discovery. They opened up new horizons previously unimaginable - a testament to human potential and perseverance. Today we look back upon those early days with admiration for what the Montgolfier Brothers achieved over two centuries ago – igniting our collective imagination while reminding us that even seemingly impossible dreams can take flight if we dare to pursue them relentlessly.