The First Hot Air Balloon Ride

In 1783, a rooster, a duck, and a sheep were the first passengers in a hot air balloon flight conducted by the Montgolfier brothers in France. The balloon was launched in front of a crowd at the Palace of Versailles, with King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette in attendance.

The purpose of this flight was to test the effects of altitude on living creatures. The animals flew for about 8 minutes and traveled approximately 2 miles before landing safely, making history as the first successful balloon passengers.