Four strange true stories about hot air balloons

There is a long tradition of hot air ballooning feats and hot air balloon rides, not only in Europe, but all over the world, so it’s hardly surprising that more than a few odd stories related to the unique mode of transport have emerged over the years.

Here are some of the strangest hot air balloon stories we have been able to uncover:

Animals were the real hot air balloon pioneers

The first beings ever to embark on a hot air balloon ride were not humans, but a sheep, rooster and a duck.

This strange assortment of animals were, in 1783, chosen to man the first hot air balloon, which was set to fly high above Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI in the French court of Versatile. The balloon was connected to a tether and reached heights of 1500 feet. It travelled two miles before making a safe landing.

You will be happy to know that none of the animals were harmed by their unusual trip out.

Champagne was offered after flights to placate farmers

Hot air balloon rides are almost always followed by a glass or two of champagne, which most people think is just a nice way of rounding out a special event. However, the truth of the matter is much more interesting – Champagne was offered after flights in order to appease French farmers, who were none too happy about the balloons of the aristocracy landing in their fields.

Hot air balloon duels were a thing

When most of us think of duels, we think of white gloves and Western shootouts, but in 1808, a couple of Frenchmen who were in love with the same woman – an opera dancer – engaged in a most unusual duel.

The lovesick pair took to the skies of Paris in a hot air balloon duel, blunderbusses in hand. The pair each fired at the other’s balloon, with the losing lover plunging to his death, whilst the winning dueller secured the beautiful opera singer Tirevit’s hand in marriage.

A glass-bottomed hot air balloon took flight

Wicker baskets are traditionally used to carry passengers during hot air balloon rides. However, one man thought he could do better – Christian Brown showed off his unusual glass-bottomed hot air balloon for the first time at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta back in 2010, when it managed to exhilarate passengers who tried out the unconventional balloon.