Montgolfier Balloon

Exhibited here is a small scale model (Scale 1:50) of the Montgolfier balloon in which Pilatre de Rozier made a captive ascent on 21st November 1783 in the garden of Mr. M. Revellion in Paris. The model, which was made in the London Science Museum workshop, based on a contemporary illustration, has been loaned to the Government Museum, Chennai. The original balloon was about 48 feet in diameter and 74 feet in height. Its weight is stated to have been 1,600 pounds (approx 700kg).