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Montgolfier Cartoon
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Montgolfier Cartoon
Peasants at Gonesse, near Paris, France, attacking and destroying the experimental balloon of the Montgolfier brothers with pitchforks, for being the devils work! Date: 27 August 1783
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Media ID 7210663
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10183420
1783 Attacking Brothers Destroying Devil Experimental Montgolfier Peasants Pitch Forks Gonesse
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print depicts a pivotal moment in the history of flight, as a mob of peasants fiercely attack and destroy the Montgolfier brothers' experimental hot air balloon at Gonesse, near Paris, France, on August 27, 1783. The Montgolfier brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne, had made history just days prior by successfully launching the first untethered hot air balloon flight on June 4, 1783, in Versailles. However, their groundbreaking achievement was met with skepticism and fear by many, particularly in the rural communities. The print, titled "Vol des Montgolfier, attaque des paysans de Gonesse" (Montgolfier Flight, Attack of the Peasants of Gonesse), shows a chaotic scene as the villagers, armed with pitchforks and other farming tools, storm the balloon as it lies deflated on the ground. The Montgolfier brothers, depicted in the background, look on in disbelief as their invention is destroyed. The caption below the image reads, "C'est un œuvre du diable!" (It's the work of the devil!), encapsulating the fear and misunderstanding that surrounded the new technology. The Montgolfier brothers' balloon, which had been transported to Gonesse for a public demonstration, was intended to inspire awe and wonder. Instead, it sparked panic and hysteria, with some believing that the balloon was a harbinger of evil or even a tool of the devil. The incident at Gonesse marked a setback for the Montgolfier brothers and the fledgling field of aeronautics, but it also served as a reminder of the public's fear of the unknown and the power of rumor and misinformation to shape perception. This intriguing print offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between science, technology, and the public during a time of great change, and serves as a reminder of the enduring human fascination with flight.
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