Balloons are unique tools for studying the atmosphere. In contrast to satellites providing a global view of the Earth's atmosphere at broad resolution, they allow investigating atmospheric processes at high resolution. Following the meteorological balloon-sondes at the end of the nineteenth century, powerful vehicles have been designed using plastic films available since 1947. Since then a number of balloon platforms have been designed spanning from zero pressure balloons flying up to 40 km altitude, spherical or pumpkin super-pressure balloons and Infrared Montgolfier allowing long duration flights for several months, and tethered balloons for studying the lower atmosphere.