2-358-632 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Clement Ader, French engineer and inventor, 1915. Ader (1841-1925) is best known for his work in aviation. In 1890 his aircraft 'Eole' became the first self-propelled aircraft to take off and fly (albeit only for 50 metres), 13 years before the Wright Brothers made their famous flight. He also made improvements to Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and, in 1880, established the first telephone network in Paris. A photograph from Album de Photographies dans L'Intimite de Personnages Illustres, 1860-1925, 9th album, Editions MD, Paris.