Pierre Testu-Brissy (1770 - 1829) was a pioneering French balloonist who achieved fame for making many flights astride animals, particularly horses. He made his first balloon ascent in 1785, and the first night ascent on June 18, 1786 in a hydrogen balloon. He made the world's first electrical observations on June 18, 1786 as he ascended into thunderclouds, and said that he drew remarkable discharges from the clouds by means of an iron rod, carried in the car.

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Pierre Testu-Brissy, French Balloonist

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