Today when one thinks of hot air balloons a picture emerges of colourful canopies and parachuted baskets flying gracefully in the sky. However, the history behind these floating contraptions extends way back to when they had a purpose far more controversial than a leisurely ride.

1. Military Warfare

Hot air balloons were the first device used in air warfare as a method to prepare maps for battlefield. Until that point maps had been created from ground level and were therefore less accurate, resulting in a greater number of battle losses.

2. Weapons

Fire balloons were an experimental weapon developed by the Japanese during the Second World War. They carried a 12kg load of incendiary together with four 5kg incendiary devices and were designed to destroy Canadian and American cities, forests, and farmland.

3. Espionage

These hot air balloons were used for spying and designed to fly into warring regions where one could record intelligence about their opponent and then communicate it back to their base. This was a military technique commonly used during the Cold War.

4. Barrage

These hot air balloons are fastened to the earth by metal cables that act as barriers to low-flying attackers. The British Balloon Command (a WWI defence strategy) utilized 1,400 of them, one third of which flew over London.

5. Propaganda

In addition to being used for reconnaissance, hot air balloons served the political purpose of dropping propaganda materials from the sky. One example of this was in 1807 when Denmark dropped leaflets over Sweden in an effort to get them to revolt against their government.

6. Promotion and Advertising

Not dissimilar to those used for propaganda, these balloons are also designed to influence the people who stand beneath them. With the ability to reach such a wide audience promotional balloons are an effective way of selling a product or service.

7. Public Relations

There are many ways balloon flight can improve a company's public image. Richard Branson's Virgin Group for instance uses its balloon flights as a way to communicate their social responsibility as well as raise money for their charitable programmes. In 2010 Virgin Balloon Flights raised nearly £1,000 pounds for charity.

8. Scientific Research

These hot air balloons are used to measure meteorology, astronomy, and atmospheric research. They are usually too thin to carry people and very expensive to use. Weather balloons are the most popular type of research balloon and launched on a much more regular basis.

9. Sport

Many pilots fly hot air balloons for sport and enter local, regional, national and world championships. Competitive categories include measuring balloons for their altitude, duration, and distance. To follow the rules of aerodynamics, it is suggested that pilots fly within three hours of sunrise and sunset, during high pressure and light surface winds.