Alberto Santos-Dumont
Brazilian aviator
Alberto Santos-Dumont Rank
About Alberto Santos-Dumont
Alberto Santos-Dumont was arguably the most famous Brazilian aeronaut and inventor of the 20th century. He captivated America and Europe with several airship flights and was the first to design, construct and fly the first gasoline-powered dirigible balloon.
Background & Education
He was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil and was raised on his father’s coffee farm. At age twelve, he could perform basic repair and maintenance on coffee machines. However, at age 18, he moved to Paris, where he studied physics and engineering.
Major Career Highlights & Inventions
He flew his first balloon aircraft, “Brazil” in 1898. Over the next decade, his factory produced 11 dirigibles.
In October 1901, he flew the first-ever gasoline-powered dirigible balloon aircraft (his No. 6 airship) between St. Cloud in Paris and the Eiffel Tower. He then received the “Deutsch Prize” and gave some of his money to his crew and the poor in Paris.
In 1906, he made Europe’s first flight of a powered and winged aircraft with the “No. 14-bis”; won the Archdeacon Cup for a 60-meter flight and won an Aero Club for the first 100-meter flight.
Death
He committed suicide on 23 July 1932, aged 59. Although he left no suicide note, it was rumored that he killed himself because he was very depressed that his “Demoiselle” airplane had been employed as a war weapon.
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F.A.Q. about Alberto Santos-Dumont
When is his birthday?
Alberto Santos-Dumont's birthday is on July 20, 1873.
In how many days is his birthday?
Alberto's birthday is in 86 days
How old was Alberto when he died?
He was 59 years old.
When did he die?
He died in July 23, 1932.
How old would he be today?
Alberto Santos-Dumont would be 150 years old if he was alive today.
Where was Alberto from?
He was born in Santos Dumont, Minas Gerais.