Alberto Santos-Dumont

Alberto Santos-Dumont (July 20, 1873 - July 23, 1932) was an important early pioneer of aviation. Although he was born, grew up, and died in Brazil, his contributions to aviation were made while he was living in France.

Back to Brazil

Santos-Dumont continued to build and fly airplanes until he fell ill in 1910 with what was posthumously diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. He abruptly dismissed his staff and shut down his workshop. His illness soon led to depression. He moved from Paris to the French seaside and took up astronomy as a hobby. Some of the local folk, who knew little of his great fame and exploits in Paris just a few years earlier,

Related Topics:
Airplane - 1910 - Multiple sclerosis

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mistook his telescopes and unusual accent as signs

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(almost certainly false) that he was a German spy

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who was tracking French naval activity.

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These suspicions eventually led to Santos having his

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rooms searched by the local constabulary. Upset by ignominy of the charge, as well as depressed from his illness, he burned all of his papers, plans, and notes. Thus, there is little direct information available about his designs today.

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In 1928 (some sources report, 1916) he left France to go back to his country of birth, never to return to Europe.

Related Topics:
1928 - 1916 - Europe

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His return to Brazil was marred by tragedy. A dozen members of the Brazilian scientific community boarded a seaplane with the intention of paying a flying welcome to the returning aviator on Cap Arcona. Instead, the seaplane crashed with the loss of all on board. The loss deepened Santos' growing despondency.

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In Brazil, Santos bought a small lot on the side of a hill in the city of Petrópolis, in the mountains near Rio de Janeiro, and built there a small house filled with imaginative mechanical gadgetry.

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