Jacques Etienne Montgolfier 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 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)

Portrait of Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810) (engraving)
673272 Portrait of Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810) (engraving); (add.info.: Joseph-Michel Montgolfier (26 August 1740 - 26 June 1810)

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)

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)

Jaques Etienne Montgolfier und Joseph Michael Montgolfier, (1933). Creator: Unknown
Jaques Etienne Montgolfier und Joseph Michael Montgolfier, (1933). Portrait of French inventor brothers Jacques E tienne Montgolfier (1745-1799) and Joseph Michel Montgolfier (1740-1810)

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

Ascension of a Montgolfier balloon, late 18th century, (1910). Illustration from The Connoisseur, (August 1910). (Colorised black and white print)

The first balloon ascent, c1785 (1919). Joseph-Michel (1740-1810) and Jacques-Etienne (1745-1799) Montgolfier developed a hot air balloon in Annonay, Ardeche, France

Launch of a hot air balloon, late 18th century, (1885). In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne, launched the first hot air balloon, or montgolfiere in French

First test flight of a hot air balloon at Annonay, France, 4 June, 1783 (1890s). Enthusiastic crowds watching the first unmanned test flight by brothers Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier

The Montgolfier brothers, French ballooning pioneers, (1890s). Joseph Michel (1740-1810) and Jacques Etienne Montgolfier (1745-1799)

An early attempt at conquering the air, 18th century, (late 19th century).The Montgolfier brothers invented the hot air balloon, it was the first aircraft to carry humans into the sky

Song on the aerostatic sphere, 18th century. Commemorating the Montgolfier Brothers balloon experiment in the garden of M Reveillon on 19 October 1783

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Jacques Etienne Montgolfier, a prominent figure in the history of aviation, was born in 1745 in the Department of Ardeche in south-central France. Alongside his brother Joseph Michael Montgolfier, Jacques played a pivotal role in revolutionizing air travel. In June 1783, an awe-inspiring event took place - the launch of the Montgolfier Brothers balloon. This momentous occasion marked the beginning of their extraordinary journey into the skies. The chromolitho from that day captures the excitement and wonder that filled the air. The undated portrait of Jaques Etienne Montgolfier and Joseph Michael Montgolfier showcases their partnership and shared passion for flight. Together, they pushed boundaries and defied gravity with their groundbreaking inventions. Throughout his life, Jacques-Etienne continued to innovate and experiment with balloons. His determination led to numerous achievements like the ascension of a Montgolfier balloon depicted in a late 18th-century painting from 1910. One iconic image portrays c1785's first-ever balloon ascent - a historic moment etched forever in history books. Another captivating photograph shows a hot air balloon being launched during this era; its vibrant colors symbolize human ambition taking flight against all odds. On June 4th, 1783, Annonay witnessed another milestone as Jacques-Etienne conducted his first test flight of a hot air balloon. This significant event paved the way for future advancements and propelled humanity closer to conquering new heights. The pioneering spirit embodied by Jacques-Etienne and his brother is evident throughout these images from different eras. Their relentless pursuit to conquer the skies inspired generations after them to dream big and push boundaries further than ever before. Today we remember Jacques Etienne Montgolfier as one of France's greatest ballooning pioneers whose contributions shaped modern aviation as we know it today.