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  The
first ever hot-air balloon was made in 1782. Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier
discovered it. It all started by Joseph throwing some scraps of paper into
the fire. Suddenly Joseph cried out, "Sacre Bleu!". Then he decided to make
a "flying balloon. He said that because hot air rises, it could lift things
up. So they made a balloon and went outside and they put some straw in the
basket. They set it on fire and it flew away.
They wanted to make a balloon big enough to fit poeople in.Many people said it was impossible. They made the balloon from pure silk and it was fifteen metres high. They also painted it like an Easter egg. On 19th September 1783, a sheep, duck and a rooster set off in the hot-air balloon. A few hours later there was a loud CRASH!!!! The balloon landed in a forest. The sheep and duck were O.K., but the rooster was hurt. Etienne was very upset, he loved the rooster. The doctor looked at him and said he was going to live. All the animals got a medal and a special barn.
On 21st November 1783, a scientist went to visit Joseph and Etienne. He wanted to be the first man to go in a balloon. Etienne said no because it was too dangerous, but De Rozier would not give up. He said, "If animals can do it, man can too." So they made up a new balloon and Jean de Rozier was the first person to fly. This balloon was called Montgolfière.
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