Montgoflier brother silver medal by Gatteaux

Réf numismeo : 40700

Additional information

Weight

37,54

Diameter

41,6

Metal

Conservation

Année de frappe

Engraver

The brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier developed the first hot air balloon in 1782-1783. After a few unmanned trials earlier that summer, on 19 September 1783, they launched their balloon Aérostat Réveillon with a basket containing a sheep, a duck, and a rooster. The sheep was to serve as a stand-in for a human body, while the duck was the control, as they obviously attain such altitudes regularly. The rooster was to demonstrate that non-flying birds could survive at altitude. The successful flight, lasting eight minutes, was held before the king and queen at the palace of Versailles.

Puncheon : <Bee> ARGENT

The Révellion was refitted with various ornate touches appropriate to the contemporary style and prepared for manned flight. On 15 October, Étienne Montgolfier made a tethered ascent, making him the first humant to fly in a balloon. This was followed on 21 November by a public demonstration on the outskirts of Paris.

290,00 

In stock