Because of the 18th century, individuals ended up inflating balloons of fabric or canvas with very hot air and sending it aloft, the Montgolfier brothers going as far as to experiment with to start with animals in 1782, and after that, when altitude didn't kill them, human beings in 1783. https://louissahms.bimmwiki.com/11106541/the_ultimate_guide_to_ballon_arch