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Albert Santos-Dumont



Albert Santos-Dumont

Albert Santos-Dumont
ALBERT SANTOS-DUMONT
Brazilian Aero Pioneer
Born July 20, 1873, Cabangu, Minas Gerais, Brazil. In France to receive a technical education, he became fascinated with the subject of aeronautics. In 1898 made a successful ascent over Paris in the first of many lighter-than-air ships of his own design, and eventually in 1901 captured Deutsch prize for an extended flight over a specified course. Typical of his concern for the less fortunate, he distributed the 100,000 franc prize among the laborers and the poor.

His interests turned to heavier-than-air flight and on November 12, 1906, flying an aircraft of his own design -- the 352 pound "14-BIS" with a 40 HP motor, he made the first successful powered flight in Europe. This was also the first known use of a wheeled undercarriage on aircraft. Relentlessly he experimented and his new designs were produced in 1909. Among his more advanced concepts was a true delta wing -- some 40 years before its use became common. Died 24 July 1932.
Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1967