Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932), Brazilian aviation pioneer, sitting in 'Demoiselle', his famed light aircraft. The son of a rich plantation owner, Santos-Dumont became interested in flight while studying engineering in Paris, France. After piloting balloons, he built his first powered airship in 1898. His airship flight exploits caught the public imagination. In October 1901, Santos-Dumont received a prize for being the first person to fly around the Eiffel Tower. He built an aeroplane in 1906, the 14 bis and made the first sustained free flight in Europe on 23 October 1906 in Bagatelle Park, Paris, France.