Which French physicist developed the hydrogen balloon known as a Charlière in 1783?

Jacques Charles developed the hydrogen balloon known as a Charlière in 1783.

Charles was a French mathematician, physicist and inventor. Inspired by the Montgolfier brothers’ hot-air experiments, he designed a balloon that used hydrogen, a much lighter gas than air. The Robert brothers helped construct the envelope and equipment.

Their first successful hydrogen balloon flight took place in Paris on 27 August 1783. Charles later made an ascent with Nicolas-Louis Robert on 1 December 1783, only ten days after the Montgolfier brothers’ first free human flight.

Charlières and Montgolfières are easy to confuse because both appeared in the same year. A Charlière uses a lifting gas such as hydrogen, whereas a Montgolfière rises by heating ordinary air.