On November 21, 1783—human flight began. The Chinese lantern had been around for centuries. But then, Joseph Montgolfier entered the picture. In 1783 his family owned a large paper-making company in France. Joseph’s idea was to make a giant hot-air balloon that could carry people into the air. Historian John Schmidt joins us to tell us how that idea worked out. (photo: “Model of a statue dedicated to French balloonists, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier” Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons )