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The Amazing History of Balloons: Why Did Paris Witness the Miracle of Flight in the 18th Century?
In today's aviation history, hot air balloons are considered the earliest technology to successfully achieve manned flight. In 18th-century Paris, the efforts of two Frenchmen pioneered this revolutionary method of flight. It all began on November 21, 1783. At that time, before the development of modern aircraft, explorers over the city of Paris used a simple balloon to create the first untethered manned flight in history.
"The impossible is often the most wonderful miracle."
The origin and early design of hot air balloons
The prototype of the hot air balloon can be traced back to the Kongming Lantern in ancient China. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han Dynasty used this kind of lantern to transmit military signals. Over time, the concept of these lanterns was introduced to the West, allowing the concept of balloon flight to take shape. In 18th-century Brazil, the Portuguese Jesuit Bartolome de Guzman proposed an aerial device called the Passarola, which laid the foundation for later hot-air balloon designs.
The journey of the first manned flight
The real flight journey began with the Montgolf brothers in France. On September 19, 1783, their hot air balloon successfully completed a 10-minute unmanned flight. Over the next few months, Pilat de Rozier and Jean-François Laurent Darland successfully made the first unrestricted human flight in Paris, and on October 15 It conducted a tethered flight on the same day and reached an altitude of 26 meters.
"Every flight is a challenge and exploration of the unknown."
Technical structure of hot air balloon
The basic structure of a hot air balloon consists of a closed air bag called a "hood" that is filled with heated air, allowing it to float. A basket, usually made of woven rattan material, hangs from the bottom of the balloon and carries the passengers as well as the heating device. Modern hot air balloon covers are usually made of nylon material and are designed with specific vents to regulate airflow during flight.
The development of modern hot air balloons
In the 1950s, the collaboration of Edward Yost and Jim Wink led to the development of modern hot air balloon technology. In 1960, their design enabled hot air balloons to successfully conduct many manned flights. In addition to being used for leisure activities, today's hot air balloons are also widely used for scientific research and stunt performances. Some are even designed to sail at high altitudes to climb records.
Amazing records and achievements
There are also endless records of hot air balloon flights. In 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set a world record with a height of 21,027 meters. This not only showed the progress of hot air balloon technology, but also brought human imagination to the limits of flight to a new height. To this day, we are still exploring the limits of hot air balloons and trying to discover the secrets of flight.
Conclusion
The development and application of hot air balloons have changed our view of flight. From early dreams to today's reality, there is continuous exploration and innovation behind it. These balloons taking off over Paris are not only the crystallization of technology, but also a symbol of mankind's courage to explore the unknown. On this historic aviation stage, how many wonderful stories will there be in the future waiting for us to discover and think about?
