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.
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