Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian father of aviation

Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian father of aviation

Did you know that the wristwatch was popularised by a Brazilian aviator?

Yes, it was. Alberto Santos Dumont, one of the pioneering names in aviation, needed a way to tell the time without taking his hands off the controls of his flying machines. And this led him to commission one of the first wristwatches in history. Great, isn’t it?

But Santos Dumont’s contributions to the world go far beyond elegant timepieces. He was a true visionary who helped shape aviation as we know it.

Want to know more? Well, sit back as, in this post, we explore the life and achievements of this remarkable Brazilian aviator.

Who was Santos Dumont

Alberto Santos Dumont was born in Brazil in 1873, into a wealthy family of coffee growers. Thanks to his good position, he was able to travel to Paris to devote his life to science and mechanics, becoming a brilliant engineer and inventor.

Santos Dumont grew up surrounded by the wonders of engineering on his family’s coffee plantation. From an early age he was captivated by the idea of flying, immersing himself in the novels of Jules Verne and dreaming of soaring through the clouds.

It was this fascination that took him to Paris, the epicentre of technological innovation at the end of the 19th century.

His first designs were airships

While many inventors focused on heavier-than-air machines, Santos Dumont initially set his sights on airships.

He designed, built and flew a series of these lighter-than-air craft, achieving important milestones:

In 1901, he won the prestigious Deutsch de la Meurthe prize by successfully navigating his airship ‘Number 6’ around the Eiffel Tower. Imagine, at that time, the thrill of circling this iconic monument floating in an airship. This feat catapulted him to fame.
He became a beloved figure in Paris, known for his daring flights and the elegant designs of his airships. People gathered in the streets and parks to watch in awe as he flew his creations above the city.

If you want to know more about these giants of the air, don’t miss our post about the Hindenburg airship – you’ll love it!

Santos Dumont’s 14-bis: a pioneering aircraft

Santos Dumont’s innovative spirit did not stop with airships. He believed that the future of aviation lay in heavier-than-air machines and began experimenting with aeroplanes.

And it was in 1906, when Santos Dumont wrote his name into the history books with his innovative aircraft, the 14-bis. This square canard-style aircraft, affectionately nicknamed ‘Oiseau de proie’ (bird of prey), achieved the first officially recognised powered flight in Europe.

Yes, on 23 October 1906, the 14-bis took off from a field in Bagatelle, Paris, flying a distance of 60 metres at a height of about 2 metres.

This momentous flight was witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd and officially documented by the Aero Club de France, cementing its place in aviation history.

Why Santos Dumont is considered one of the ‘fathers of aviation’

Although the Wright brothers are most often credited with the first powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine, their achievement in 1903 was a relatively private affair.

By contrast, Alberto Santos Dumont’s flights in his 14-bis were public spectacles, meticulously documented and witnessed by large crowds, officials and journalists.

Moreover, the 14-bis was unique in its ability to take off under its own power, without the need for catapults or other assistance, unlike the Wright Brothers’ plane.

This self-propelled take-off, combined with the public nature of his flights, established Santos Dumont as a key figure in the history of aviation.

His friendship with Louis Cartier, the origin of the wristwatch

And here comes the curiosity we promised you at the beginning of the post.

Santos Dumont’s adventurous spirit and innovative mind led him to cross paths with another pioneer of his time, the famous French jeweller Louis Cartier.

In 1904, Santos Dumont told Cartier how difficult it was for him to consult his pocket watch while manoeuvring his airships. Always up for a challenge, Cartier designed a solution: a wristwatch with a leather strap and a clear, easy-to-read dial.

This revolutionary watch, named ‘Santos’ in honour of his friend, freed Santos Dumont’s hands and allowed him to keep track of time while flying.

Of course, the Cartier Santos was an instant revolution, marking an important turning point in the history of watchmaking and cementing the wristwatch as a practical tool and a symbol of style.

Just like our limited edition B737 MAX aviation watch – exclusively for our students!

Photo of the 1903 Cartier ‘Santos’ model, on display at the Fondation Cartier.

Why was Santos Dumont different from his contemporaries?

A true pioneering spirit

Santos Dumont was a fearless innovator who constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible. He was not afraid to experiment, to learn from his failures and to try again – a quality, by the way, that is essential if you want to be a commercial pilot.

His flight attempts were public

Unlike some of the early aviators, who conducted their experiments in secret, Santos Dumont flew his creations in public.

This transparency helped inspire others and generate enthusiasm about the potential of flight, fuelling the growth of the aeronautical community.

He knew that control was the key

Santos Dumont placed great emphasis on the importance of controlling the aircraft, not just obtaining lift.

His airships and aeroplanes were designed with manoeuvrability in mind, paving the way for practical aviation and demonstrating that flight could be more than a fleeting moment in the air.

Alberto Santos Dumont democratised aviation

Unlike other aviators, who jealously guarded their inventions and sought to profit from patents, Santos Dumont generously shared his discoveries and designs with the world.

He believed that by making his knowledge public, he could accelerate the progress of aviation, encourage innovation and inspire others to contribute to this exciting new field.

So Santos Dumont continued to design and build aircraft, always striving to make them smaller, lighter and more accessible. In fact, his light and relatively affordable Demoiselle monoplane is considered by many to be the first mass-produced aircraft. Indeed, he shared the plans publicly so that others could build and test it.

This altruistic spirit fostered cooperation and shared learning within the aeronautical community. By freely sharing his designs, he democratised aviation, making it more accessible to aspiring aviators and inventors around the world.

He understood that the future of flight lay in collaboration and the free exchange of ideas, a principle that continues to inspire and guide the aviation industry.

We want more inspiring stories, please!

After reading this post, you can’t tell us that the exploits of this Brazilian are not inspiring. We are fascinated!

That’s why we invite you to get to know other stories of aviation pioneers, and not necessarily pilots, such as Ellen Church, the first female flight attendant in history. You can read about her, and other famous aviators, on our blog.

And if you already have your mind made up, we can help you! Take a look at our Commercial Pilot Course, with three specific programmes to reach your flying goal.

Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian father of aviation