Firts Mannied Hot Air Baloon Flight: Today, few of us know who
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier was. But during his lifetime, he was
one of the most famous men in Europe. As the first man, along with the
Marquis d’Arlandes, to ascend in a hot air balloon, Pilâtre de Rozier’s
fame was assured. Pilâtre de Rozier’s penchant for the spectacular reached full fruition when he heard about the new invention of Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, the hot air balloon which had its first public launch in June 1783.
There was no way Pilâtre de Rozier was going to let this honor go to an artisan; he volunteered for the task and managed to convince everyone that he, along with the Marquis d’Arlandes, should be allowed to ascend into the heavens.
Their launch, on 21 November 1783, propelled Pilâtre de Rozier into international status. He was lauded by poets, admired by savants, and heralded by all of Europe as a hero.
Source: Manic Sylph 19:40
