Louis Blériot, 1872-1936
2. Bleriot Traversant La Manche
Blériot is most famous for the first crossing of the English Channel by airplane in July, 1909. To win, Bleriot had to beat both Latham in an Antoinette, and Count Lambert in his Wright biplane. Bleriot's essential monoplane was his eleventh attempt to design a successful flyer.