Hot air balloon
device · 1783 · Industrial Revolution
The Montgolfier brothers’ balloon.
What it is made of
- Balloon envelope — has part. A nylon canopy that holds the heated air.
- Gas burner — has part. It heats the air in the envelope with a propane flame.
- Wicker gondola basket — has part. A basket for the crew and gas cylinders.
Principles and materials it uses
- Archimedes’ principle — uses. Warm air is lighter than cold — Archimedes’ principle in the atmosphere.
- Silk — is made of. The Montgolfier balloon was fabric lined with paper.
- Paper — is made of. It was lined with paper on the inside.
- Combustion — uses. A fire heated the air inside.
- Nylon — is made of. A light, strong envelope fabric.
- Convection — uses. Hot air rises and fills the canopy.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Airship — evolved into. A steerable balloon.
What it is a kind of
- Aircraft — is a kind of. A balloon.