Studies by Santos Dumont led to advances in international science

The constant studies of Alberto Santos Dumont, the “father of aviation”, led to advances in international science. His work method always sought improvement. That’s what he did with the 14-Bis, the first heavier-than-air vehicle to fly.

The first flight of the aircraft took place for a distance of 60 meters for seven seconds in the Campo de Bagatelle, in Paris, on October 23, 1906.

Although the object was not invented by Dumont, he realized that it would be important to use it. Therefore, less than a month later, the improved 14-Bis was able to fly 220 meters.

“It was all work, study. He researched others that came before. He would notice and take it to work in his office, with calculations, with drawings. And, when he left to do some experiment, he already left with a more concrete way”, says Maurício, who works at the Aerospace Museum, in Rio de Janeiro.

The evolution of Dumont’s prototypes was also seen in the Demoiselle, a plane he created after the 14-Bis. The aircraft had a new engine, more power and a more resistant structure.

The body of the Demoiselle was made of bamboo and had canvas on the wings, in addition to piano strings to move a rudder developed by Dumont.

“When he switches to the Demoiselle, it’s fantastic because this aircraft already turns, descends, climbs, turns, walks around, goes to visit friends, it was a transport that he [Dumont] used,” says the museum employee.

To this day, much of what Dumont developed decades ago continues to be used in modern aircraft.

The fact is that, with the persistence of the inventor’s improvement, the world reached the level of safety that exists today in airplanes, both in those that carry hundreds of passengers and in small models.

*Published by Pedro Jordão, from CNN