The world's first hydrogen balloon, launched over the Champs de Mars, Paris, France in 1783. Launched by Nicolas-Louis Robert and professor Jacques Charles. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

The flight of the Arostat Rveillon on 19th of September 1783 by the Montgolfier brothers at Versailles, France, before King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Claude Chappe, 1763 1805. French inventor of the practical semaphore system. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

The world's first manned hydrogen balloon flight over the Champs de Mars, Paris, France in 1 December 1783, piloted by Nicolas-Louis Robert and professor Jacques Charles. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Jean-Marie-Joseph Coutelle, 1748 - 1835. French engineer, scientist and pioneer of ballooning. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Gilbert Romme, 1750 1795. French politician and mathematician who developed the French Republican Calendar aka French Revolutionary Calendar. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Franois Laurent le Vieux d'Arlandes, 1742 1809. French marquis, soldier and a pioneer of hot air ballooning. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Franois-Marie Arouet, 1694 1778, also known by his nom de plume Voltaire. French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher. From Ward and Lock's Illustrated History of the World, published c. 1882.

The death of Philippe Lebon in the Champs-lyses, after being stabbed thirteen times. Philippe le Bon (or Lebon) (D'Humbersin), 1767 1804. French engineer. From Les Merveilles de la Science, published c. 1870

Courtship in the 18th century. From Histoire de France, published c. 1880