Ernest Archdeacon

Ernest Archdeacon (23 March 1863 – 3 January 1950) was a French lawyer and aviation pioneer before the First World War. He started with aviation by flying in a balloon when he was 20 years old. Archdeacon helped make aviation popular in France. He gave prizes, asked for new airplane designs, and organized many tests and events to grow the aviation industry.

One of Archdeacon’s big achievements was helping to start the Aéro-Club de France in 1898, the oldest aero-club in the world. His excitement and support inspired many early airplane pilots. On 29 May 1908, Archdeacon made history again. He became the first person in Europe to ride in an airplane, flown by Henry Farman in Ghent. His work helped prepare the way for the future of aviation.

Early life

Ernest Archdeacon was born and grew up in Paris. He studied law to work at the bar. He also loved science and learned about balloons and flying. In 1884, when he was only 20, he had his first ride in a balloon.

Motoring

Ernest Archdeacon loved cars and raced in many big events. In 1894, he came in 17th place in the very first motor race in the world, driving his Serpollet from Paris to Rouen. He drove 127 kilometres in 13 hours.

Later, in 1896, he finished 7th in another big race called the Paris-Marseilles-Paris Trail in a Delahaye car. He drove over 1,700 kilometres in almost three days. He kept racing and always tried his best.

The Aero Club of France

On 20 October 1898, Ernest Archdeacon joined with oil magnate Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe to create the Aéro-Club de France. This club became the main group for organizing sports aviation in France. Other important people helped start the club, like the Marquis de Fonvielle, Count Henri de la Vaulx, and Count Henri de la Valette. In 1900, the first leader of the Aero Club was the Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion.

Sponsor of aviation

In April 1900, the Aéro-Club de France announced a big prize for the first flying machine that could travel from Saint-Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in less than thirty minutes. Ernest Archdeacon wanted to help grow aviation in France after learning about the Wright brothers. With support from fellow aviator Captain Ferber, he gave money to sponsor aviation competitions.

Archdeacon also helped create exciting prizes for pilots. He offered a silver trophy for the first flight over 25 metres and later a prize for flying 100 metres. These prizes helped pilots improve their skills and try new tricks, like turning in circles.

Archdeacon Aéromotocyclette Anzani

In 1906, Ernest Archdeacon made a special motorcycle called the Aéromotocyclette Anzani. It could go very fast, up to 79.5 kilometres per hour at Achères-la-Forêt. The motorcycle used a small engine from Anzani and had a propeller on a long steel tube. Archdeacon did not ask for a patent for this invention.

Main article: Buchet
Further information: Anzani

Scepticism toward the Wright brothers

In November 1905, the Wright brothers told a newspaper editor in Paris about their success in flying. This made some people at the Aero Club de France unsure.

Ernest Archdeacon and others in Europe did not believe the Wright brothers. They even laughed at them in newspapers, calling them "bluffers." They thought the French would be the first to show powered flight.

But after Wilbur Wright flew near Le Mans in August 1908, Archdeacon said he had been wrong about the Wright brothers.

Aeroplane passenger

Ernest Archdeacon is often called the first aeroplane passenger in Europe. On 29 May 1908, he flew with pilot Henry Farman in Ghent, covering a distance of 1,241 meters. Some believe Leon Delagrange might have been flown by Farman earlier that year.

Main article: Henry Farman

Esperanto

Ernest Archdeacon learned Esperanto in 1908. He wrote a book about why he chose this language. He became the president of a French group that promoted Esperanto and supported the language all his life.