2-489-490 - © Fine Art Images/Heritage Images

Jacques Charles launches his first aerostat from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1783 (1890s). French aeronauts Jacques Charles (1746-1823) and Noel Robert made the first test flight of a hydrogen balloon on 27 August 1783. The balloon was designed by Charles, a physics professor, and constructed by Robert and his brother Jean. It flew for 45 minutes before landing 21 kilometres away in the village of Gonesse, where it was reportedly attacked by terrified peasants wielding knives and pitchforks. In December, Charles and Robert made the first successful manned flight in a hydrogen balloon. From the series The Dream of Flight. From a private collection.