Ballooning has a long and fascinating history, closely linked to the earliest attempts at human flight. Among the different types of balloons that have existed, two main categories stand out: gas balloons and hot air balloons (montgolfières). Although they may look similar, they are based on very different principles and were used for very different purposes throughout history.
Gas balloons and their military use
Gas balloons are filled with a gas lighter than air, such as hydrogen or helium. Their lift is created by the difference in density between the gas inside the envelope and the surrounding air.
From the 19th century onwards, gas balloons were widely used for military observation. During conflicts such as the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and later during the First World War, gas balloons played a strategic role. Tethered to the ground, they allowed armies to observe enemy movements from above and to direct artillery fire with greater accuracy.
These balloons could remain airborne for long periods, making them particularly suitable for surveillance missions. However, their lack of manoeuvrability and their vulnerability made them risky, especially as aviation technology progressed.
What is a hot air balloon?
Hot air balloons, also known as montgolfières, operate on a different principle. Instead of using a lighter-than-air gas, they rely on heated air. The air inside the envelope is warmed using a burner, making it lighter than the cooler air outside and allowing the balloon to rise.
This technology dates back to the experiments of the Montgolfier brothers in the 18th century, marking the birth of human balloon flight. Unlike gas balloons, hot air balloons offer greater control of altitude, making them easier to pilot for short flights.
Different purposes and flight characteristics
Historically, gas balloons and hot air balloons were not designed for the same uses.
Gas balloons were primarily intended for endurance flights and military applications, where remaining airborne for long periods was essential. They required careful logistical planning and were mainly operated by trained specialists.
Hot air balloons, on the other hand, were better suited to shorter, controlled flights. Their ability to change altitude quickly allowed pilots to take advantage of different wind layers, making them ideal for observation and, later, recreational flights.
Ed Yost and the birth of the modern hot air balloon
In the 1950s and 1960s, American inventor and balloonist Ed Yost played a decisive role in the revival of hot air ballooning. While balloon flight had largely declined after the rise of powered aviation, Ed Yost believed that hot air balloons could once again become a practical and accessible form of flight.
By replacing open flames with propane burners and developing more resistant synthetic fabrics, he dramatically improved the safety, reliability and controllability of hot air balloons. In 1960, Ed Yost completed the first modern hot air balloon flight, marking a turning point in the history of ballooning.
Thanks to his innovations, hot air ballooning evolved from an experimental or historical curiosity into the recreational and professional activity we know today. Modern sightseeing flights around the world — including those over landscapes such as the Dordogne Valley — are a direct legacy of Ed Yost’s work.
As aviation evolved, the role of gas balloons declined. Their military importance diminished with the arrival of airplanes, and their use became increasingly rare.
Today, hot air balloons are the most widely used type of balloon. They are simpler to operate, more flexible in flight, and better adapted to carrying passengers safely. This is why modern ballooning, especially for sightseeing and leisure flights, almost exclusively relies on hot air balloons.
Ballooning today: between history and experience
While gas balloons remain an important part of aviation history, hot air balloons keep the tradition of balloon flight alive in a form accessible to the general public.
In regions such as the Dordogne Valley, flying in a hot air balloon offers a peaceful way to reconnect with this rich history, while enjoying panoramic views of landscapes, villages and rivers from the sky.
