Ernest Archdeacon

Ernest Archdeacon (23 March 1863 – 3 January 1950) was a French lawyer and aviation pioneer before the First World War. He began his journey with aviation by making his first balloon flight at the age of 20. Archdeacon played an important role in promoting and supporting aviation in France. He offered prizes, commissioned new aircraft designs, and organized many tests and events to help the aviation industry grow.

One of Archdeacon’s most important contributions was co-founding the Aéro-Club de France in 1898, which is the oldest aero-club in the world. His enthusiasm and support helped encourage many early aviators. On 29 May 1908, Archdeacon made history again when he became the first aeroplane passenger in Europe, flown by Henry Farman in Ghent. His work and dedication helped lay the groundwork for the future of aviation.

Early life

Ernest Archdeacon was born and raised in Paris, where he studied law for a career at the bar. He was very interested in science and also studied ballooning and aviation. In 1884, when he was just 20 years old, he made his first balloon flight.

Motoring

Ernest Archdeacon loved cars and took part in many big racing events in his time. In 1894, he came in 17th place in the very first motor race in the world, driving his Serpollet from Paris to Rouen. He covered 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 also took part in more races, always doing his best and finishing among the participants.

The Aero Club of France

On 20 October 1898, Ernest Archdeacon joined forces with oil magnate Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe to create the Aéro-Club de France. This club became the main group to organize sports aviation in France. Other important people helped start the club too, like the Marquis de Fonvielle, Count Henri de la Vaulx, and Count Henri de la Valette. The first leader of the Aero Club in 1900 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. Later, Ernest Archdeacon decided 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 encourage pilots to improve their flying skills and try new tricks, like turning in circles.

Archdeacon Aéromotocyclette Anzani

In 1906, Ernest Archdeacon created a special motorcycle called the Aéromotocyclette Anzani. It could go very fast, reaching a speed of 79.5 kilometres per hour at Achères-la-Forêt. This motorcycle used a small engine from Anzani and had a propeller attached to a long steel tube. Archdeacon never asked for a patent for his invention.

Main article: Buchet
Further information: Anzani

Scepticism toward the Wright brothers

In November 1905, the Wright brothers shared their achievements in flying with a newspaper editor in Paris. This news caused disagreement among members of the Aero Club de France. A few people, like George Besançon, believed the Wright brothers, but most, including Ernest Archdeacon, did not.

Archdeacon and others in Europe were very sceptical and even made fun of the Wright brothers in newspapers. They called the brothers "bluffers" and said that the French would be the first to show powered flight publicly. However, after Wilbur Wright showed his skills flying near Le Mans in August 1908, Archdeacon admitted he had been unfair to 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 and wrote a book about why he chose to speak this language. He even became the president of a French group that promoted Esperanto and supported the language for the rest of his life.