What materials were primarily utilized by the Montgolfiers to generate the necessary heat and smoke for inflation in early tests?

Answer

Straw and wool

To inflate their craft, particularly during earlier unmanned flights, the Montgolfiers burned a combination of materials, specifically citing straw and wool. This combination was effective at producing the necessary heat and smoke volume to inflate the large envelopes. This method provided the crucial lift required for testing their lighter-than-air principle before moving on to testing the effects of altitude on living organisms.

What materials were primarily utilized by the Montgolfiers to generate the necessary heat and smoke for inflation in early tests?
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