China began experimenting with hot air technology more than two thousand years ago, with the first documented tests performed as early as the 3rd century BCE, but those were essentially airborne lanterns that were used as a signal for help needed, and are now used for beauty. Skipping forward in time, can you guess the answers to this quiz?
1. The first known hot air balloon with living creatures flew on a tether for 8 minutes, rising 1500 feet, and traveling 2 miles before being brought safely down. This was in 1783 near Versailles, with members of the French court in attendance. Which of the following was NOT an animal in the basket of that hot air balloon?
Duck ___ Piglet ___ Rooster ___ Sheep ___
2. On November 21, 1783, Francois Pilatrê de Rozier and Francois Laurent, Marquis of Arlanders, flying over Paris, made the first free flight carrying humans. They stood on a circular platform attached to the bottom of the paper and silk balloon made by the Montgolfier brothers and handfed the flames as they traveled 5+ miles in 25 minutes. Just 10 days later, two Frenchmen successfully rode a hot air balloon 25 miles powered by hydrogen gas, which would soon become the preferred method of heating the balloon. How long did it take for manned hot air balloons to come to the American States?
A little more than 2 years ___ About 5 years ___ Nearly 10 years ___
3. According to one article, as hot air balloons became a fad, French aristocracy soon learned that local farmers didn’t much like rich people setting balloons down on their land and crushing their crops. The aristocracy appeased the farmers with champagne upon landing, giving birth to a tradition.
True ___ False ___
4. It wasn’t until 1950 that Paul E. (Ed) Yost and three others formed Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and developed the modern hot air balloon and the propane gas burner which made sustained flight possible.
True ___ False ___
5. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown from a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972 to become the largest balloon event in the world, now featuring about 600 balloons and 700 pilots.
True ___ False ___
6. It’s dangerous to fly hot air balloons in the rain because the balloon becomes much harder to control as the accumulating water on top cools down it down and makes it heavier, which not only burns much more fuel but also makes the balloon less safe.
Welcome to 
As a person who can barely tie a knot in a balloon to keep the air from rudely fa*ting out and flying around the room, I have always admired the people who seem to be able to effortlessly create balloon animals, hats, and flowers to entertain audiences young and old. But a little research quickly takes balloon sculpting to a whole new level. These artists, known as twisters, who assist with giant installations and/or who have the vision to mimic works of art with a bit of inflated latex – or 40,000 bits! – are mindboggling. See Resources for some wonderful links or Google these twisters’ names: Larry Moss, Kelly Cheatle, Guido Verhoef, Phileas Flash (pictured with Van Gogh in balloons), and HongSeok Goh (a blind South Korean twister – See sample next to Resources).
You can use balloons to make chocolate “tulip” cups for holding ice cream, berries, or anything else you wish. Here’s a quick demonstration: 
At approximately six miles up the temperature is minus 40 degrees, the balloon fractures and the cremains are scattered to the four winds. No, I’m not making that up.
Bonus Tip
Phileas Flash - 
A few more 
