Jean-Baptiste Réveillon

In 1789 Réveillon made a statement on the price of bread that was misinterpreted by the Parisian populace as advocating lower wages.

A second balloon, called Le Réveillon, with a rooster, a duck and a sheep was launched a week later at Versailles.

"Since bread was the foundation of our national economy," he stated in an essay, "its distribution should be deregulated, permitting lower prices.

"[2] This musing was misinterpreted by an already angry Parisian populace, who believed that Monseigneur Reveillon was advocating a lowering in wages.

On 28 April 1789 his mansion was attacked and looted by an angry mob, all the wallpaper, glue, furniture and paintings were burned.

Réveillon emigrated to England with his fortune intact, and after the French Revolution, leased his manufacture to Jacquemart & Bérnard, who continued to produce wallpaper till 1840.