Who were the inventors of the first manned hot air balloon?

The first manned hot air balloon was invented by Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, who were French brothers. They made significant contributions to aeronautics in the 18th century by conducting experiments with hot air and creating a balloon that could lift off the ground. Their first successful flight carrying passengers took place on June 4, 1783, marking a pivotal moment in the history of aviation. The Montgolfiers discovered that heating air inside a balloon caused it to rise because warm air is less dense than cold air. This fundamental principle of buoyancy is what allowed their hot air balloon to soar, demonstrating the feasibility of human flight.