balloon flight, in the form of small laterns and hot air ballons, has been a documented part of history for hundreds of years - in ancient china laterns were used as a communication tool in the military to warn participants of incoming invasions. nowadays the leisurely activity of balloon flight is popular in many countries around the globe.
in 1709 the first documented ballon flight took place at the hands of theorist bartolomeu de gusmăo - he presented a schematic design of the balloon to the king of portugal and gave a public demonstration propelling the balloon several meters in the air by combustion. in france 1783 several hot air balloon flights took place - the first manned flight was in the month of october after the process had been tested on a duck, sheep and rooster.
