The first known hot air balloon flight to carry passengers was on the 21 November, 1783 in France. Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Marquis Francois d'Arlandes were the first people to fly in a hot air balloon.

They sent animals up in the balloons first to test them before people flew in them. We think that was mean. Sean said "Never send animals to do a man's job". The French King wanted to send condemned criminals on the first flight but Rosier and d'Arlandes got the job instead.

The first modern hot air balloon was flown by Ed Yost in 1960 in Nebraska, USA. He used a modified "weed burner" to heat the air in the balloon. His first balloon was made out of plastic but he soon changed to lightweight nylon fabric.