The brothers, Joseph Michel Montgolfier (26 August 1740 – 26 June 1810) and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier (6 January 1745 – 2 August 1799) were the inventors of the montgolfière, globe airostatique or hot air balloon. The brothers succeeded in launching the first manned ascent to carry a young physician and an audacious army officer into the sky. They were later enobled with their father and brothers and sisters as de Montgolfier.

The Montgolfier Brothers is an indie pop duo which features gnac's Mark Tranmer and Lovewood drummer Roger Quigley.

The group, which formed in 1999, has released several recordings including 1999's Seventeen Stars and 2002's The World Is Flat.