A balloon is conceptually the simplest of all flying machines. The balloon is a fabric envelope filled with a gas that is lighter than the surrounding atmosphere. As the entire balloon is less dense than its surroundings, it rises, taking along with it a basket, attached underneath, which carries passengers or payload. Although a balloon has no propulsion system, a degree of directional control is possible through making the balloon rise or sink in altitude to find favorable wind directions.

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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: 1785, 1895, art, arts, balloon, blanchard, chromolithograph, communication, dover, early, flight, flying, france, french, jeffries, machine, paris, romanet, strait, transport, transportation