In 1681, Italian Jesuit priest Father Francesco de Lana-Terzi documented the invention of the first manned hot air balloon prototype, referred to as a 'sky lantern.' Although primarily conceptual, de Lana-Terzi's design illustrated the principles of lighter-than-air flight, thus influencing future developments in ballooning. While it did not achieve functional flight, it was a pivotal moment inspiring further exploration in aeronautics, ultimately contributing to significant advancements in human flight.