On the 21st of nowember 1783, in
Paris,
Benjamin Franklin was among the hundreds of people who gathered in the gardens of the Rue de Montreuil to attend a wonderful
spectacle : the first
manned flight in history.
The courageous followers of
Icare were Francois
Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes, using a device invented by the
Montgolfier brothers: the hot-air
balloon ("Montgolfière" still means "balloon" in modern
French).
Of course, people who watched the sight were amazed beyond description; however, as often happens with great discoveries, some
sceptics loudly expressed their contempt for the invention. One of them clutched
Franklin's arm and asked him scornfully :
"Monsieur, franchement, à quoi peut bien servir de s'envoler dans les airs ?" (Sir, frankly, what's the use of flying in the air ?)
To which Franklin replied:
"Monsieur, à quoi peut bien servir l'enfant qui vient de naître ?" (Sir, what's the use of a newborn baby ?)