Born in Paris on January 2nd, 1880, Louis Breguet was a designer and builder of airplanes and an early pioneer of aviation.  Along with his brother Jacques, Breguet designed a gyroplane, an early helicopter model with flexible wings.  In 1907, the brothers achieved the first ascension of a piloted vertical-flight aircraft.  His 1909 airplane design set a new speed record over its 10 km flight, a great accomplishment at the time.  Breguet also created the first hydroplane and was a pioneer in metal plane construction.  During WWI, Breguet’s models, particularly the Breguet 14-day bomber, were used as French reconnaissance planes and were made of aluminum to provide a steadier body than older wooden planes. 

*posted January 2 - January 6, 2006