possibilities in aerostation, in spite of the adventures of the
duck and sheep and cock; voyages to the moon were talked and
written, and there was more of levity than seriousness over
ballooning as a rule. The classic retort of Benjamin Franklin
stands as an exception to the general rule: asked what was the
use of ballooning--'What's the use of a baby?' he countered, and
the spirit of that reply brought both the dirigible and the
aeroplane to being, later.

The next noteworthy balloon was one by Stephen Montgolfier,
designed to take up passengers, and therefore of rather large
dimensions, as these things went then. The capacity was 100,000
cubic feet, the depth being 85 feet, and the exterior was very
gaily decorated. A short, cylindrical opening was made at the
lower extremity, and under this a fire-pan was suspended, above
the passenger car of the balloon. On October 15th, 1783,
Pilatre de Rozier made the first balloon ascent--but the balloon
was held captive, and only allowed to rise to a height of 80
feet. But, a little later in 1783, Rozier secured the honour
of making the first ascent in a free balloon, taking up with him
the Marquis d'Arlandes. It had been originally intended that
two criminals, condemned to death, should risk their lives in
the perilous venture, with the prospect of a free pardon if they
made a safe descent, but d'Arlandes got the royal consent to
accompany Rozier, and the criminals lost their chance. Rozier
and d'Arlandes made a voyage lasting for twenty-five minutes,
and, on landing, the balloon collapsed with such rapidity as
almost to suffocate Rozier, who, however, was dragged out to
safety by d'Arlandes. This first aerostatic journey took place
on November 21st, 1783.