Template:POTD/2009-10-07
An 1818 technical illustration of hot air balloon technology, showing early balloon designs. The history of ballooning spans many centuries, going back to the Three Kingdoms era (220–280 AD) of China. Although the first recorded manned balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers of France did not happen until 1783, it has been speculated that the people of the Nazca culture of Peru may have used hot air balloons to design the famous Nazca Lines.Engraver: Ambrose William Warren; Restoration: Adam Cuerden