<P> A hot air balloon is a lighter than air aircraft consisting of a bag, called an envelope, which contains heated air . Suspended beneath is a gondola or wicker basket (in some long - distance or high - altitude balloons, a capsule), which carries passengers and (usually) a source of heat, in most cases an open flame . The heated air inside the envelope makes it buoyant since it has a lower density than the colder air outside the envelope . As with all aircraft, hot air balloons cannot fly beyond the atmosphere . Unlike gas balloons, the envelope does not have to be sealed at the bottom, since the air near the bottom of the envelope is at the same pressure as the surrounding air . In modern sport balloons the envelope is generally made from nylon fabric and the inlet of the balloon (closest to the burner flame) is made from a fire resistant material such as Nomex . Modern balloons have been made in all kinds of shapes, such as rocket ships and the shapes of various commercial products, though the traditional shape is used for most non-commercial, and many commercial, applications . </P> <P> The hot air balloon is the first successful human - carrying flight technology . The first untethered manned hot air balloon flight was performed by Jean - François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes on November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, in a balloon created by the Montgolfier brothers . The first hot - air balloon flown in the Americas was launched from the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia on January 9, 1793 by the French aeronaut Jean Pierre Blanchard . Hot air balloons that can be propelled through the air rather than simply drifting with the wind are known as thermal airships . </P> <P> Early unmanned hot air balloons were used in China . Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han kingdom, during the Three Kingdoms era (220--280 AD), used airborne lanterns for military signaling . These lanterns are known Chinese lanterns (simplified Chinese: 孔明灯; traditional Chinese: 孔明燈). </P>

When was the first hot air balloon launched