Who invented the balloon? The Montgolfier brothers. Balloon with basket

The question of who invented the balloon will certainly be of interest to every schoolboy. After all, this aircraft was created in the far 18th century and stood the test of time, as it is used in aeronautics today. Technology and materials are changing and improving, but the principle of action has remained the same for centuries. That is why the appeal to the personalities of those people who came up with this new amazing means of transportation is especially relevant.

short biography

The inventors of the balloon were the brothers Montgolfier. They lived in the small French town of Annone. Both were fond of science, crafts, and technology since childhood. Their father was an entrepreneur, he had his own paper mill. After his death, the eldest of the brothers Joseph-Michel inherited it and subsequently used it for his invention.

For his scientific achievements, he subsequently became the administrator of the famous Paris Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. His younger brother Jacques-Etienne was by his education an architect.

He was fond of the scientific works of the outstanding British natural scientist Joseph Priestley, who discovered oxygen. This fascination led him to take part in all the experiments of his older brother.

Prerequisites

The story of who invented the balloon must begin with an explanation of the conditions that made such an amazing discovery possible. By the second half of the 18th century a number of important scientific discoveries had already been made, which enabled the brothers to implement their own observations in practice. We have already spoken about the discovery of oxygen. In 1766, another British explorer G. Cavendish discovered hydrogen - a substance that later became actively used in aeronautics. Approximately ten years before the famous experience with the lifting of the balloon, the famous French scientist AL Lavoisier developed a theory on the role of oxygen in oxidation processes.

Preparation

So, the story of who invented the balloon is closely related to the scientific life of the second half of the 18th century. In this case it is important to note that such an invention became possible due to the above discoveries. The brothers not only were aware of the latest scientific discoveries, but also tried to implement them.

It was this idea that prompted them to create the ball.

At their disposal were all the necessary materials for its manufacture: the paper mill, which he left from his father, provided them with paper and textiles. At first they made big bags, filled them with hot air and launched into the sky. The first few experiments pushed them to the idea of creating a large ball. Initially, they filled it with steam, but this substance at the time of recovery quickly cooled down, settled in the form of water sediments to the walls of matter. Then it was decided to use hydrogen, which is known to be lighter than air.

However, this light gas quickly evaporated and volatilized through the walls of matter. It did not help even the glazing of the ball with paper, through which the gas quickly disappeared anyway. In addition, hydrogen was very expensive substance, and they could get hold of it with great difficulty. It was necessary to look for another way to successfully complete the experiment.

Preliminary tests

When describing the activities of those who invented the balloon, it is necessary to point out the obstacles that the brothers had to face before their experiment was successfully completed. After the first two unsuccessful attempts to lift the structure into the air, Joseph-Michel proposed using not hot hydrogen, but hot smoke.

This option seemed to the brothers successful, because this substance was also lighter than air and, therefore, could lift the ball up. The new experience was successful. The rumor of this success quickly spread throughout the town, and residents began to ask the brothers to conduct a public experience.

Flight of 1783

The brothers assigned a test on June 5. Both carefully prepared for this significant event. They made a ball that weighed more than 200 kilograms. He was without a basket - that indispensable attribute that we used to see in modern designs. To him were attached a special belt and several ropes to hold it in the desired position until it air inside the shell will be heated. The balloon of the Montgolfier brothers was very impressive and made a huge impression on the audience. His throat was placed over a fire that warmed the air. Eight assistants held him by the ropes from below. When the shell was filled with hot air, the ball went up.

The second flight

A balloon with a basket was also invented by these people. However, this was preceded by a huge resonance, which was unveiled by unknown researchers from a small French town. This discovery interested scientists from the Academy of Sciences. King Louis XVI himself showed such an interest in the flight of the ball that the brothers were summoned to Paris. For September 1783 a new flight was appointed. The brothers attached a willow basket to the ball and claimed that it would withstand the passengers. They wanted to fly themselves, but there was a heated debate in the newspapers about the big risk. Therefore, for starters, it was decided to pick up animals in the basket. On the appointed day, September 19, the ball in the presence of scientists, courtiers and the king rose up with "passengers": a cock, a ram and a duck. After a short flight, the ball caught on branches of trees and sank to the ground. It turned out that the animals feel good, and then it was decided that a balloon with a basket will stand and man. After some time, the world's first air flight was carried out by Jacques-Etienne and the famous French scientist, physicist and chemist Pilatre de Rosier.

Types of balls

Depending on the type of gas that fills the shell, it is customary to distinguish three versions of these flying devices. Those that rise with the help of hot air are called hot air balloons - by the name of its creators. This is one of the most convenient and safe ways of filling matter with gas, which is lighter than air and, accordingly, can lift a basket with people in it. Different types of balloons allow travelers to choose the most convenient mode of transportation. Particular importance in this design is the balloon burner.

Its purpose is to constantly heat the air. In those cases where it is necessary to lower the ball, it is necessary to open a special valve in the shell in order to cool the air. Those balls, the interior of which is filled with hydrogen, received the name of the scullery - named after another outstanding French chemist-inventor, contemporary of the Montgolfier brothers Jacques Charles.

Other types of apparatus

The merit of this researcher is that he independently invented his own ball without filling out the development of his outstanding compatriots, filling it with hydrogen. However, his first experiments were unsuccessful, since hydrogen, being an explosive substance, coming into contact with the air, exploded. Hydrogen is an explosive substance, so its use when filling the shell of aircraft is associated with certain inconveniences.

Balloons with helium are also called ball bearings. The molecular weight of this substance is greater than that of hydrogen, it has sufficient carrying capacity, it is harmless and safe. The only drawback of this substance is its high cost, therefore it is used for manned vehicles. Those balls that are half full of air, half full of gases, were called roziers - named after another contemporary of the Montgolfier brothers - the aforementioned Pilatra de Rosier. He divided the shell of the ball into two parts, one of which was filled with hydrogen, the other - with hot air. He tried to fly on his vehicle, but hydrogen caught fire, and he and his companion died. Nevertheless, the type of apparatus invented by him was recognized. Balloons with helium and air, or hydrogen are used in modern aeronautics.