Santos-Dumont 14-bis

The 14-bis (Quatorze-bis), also known as Oiseau de proie ("bird of prey" in French), was a pioneer era canard biplane designed and built by Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. The aircraft made the first publicly witnessed European manned flights by a powered heavier-than-air machine.

Background

In June 1905 Gabriel Voisin tested a glider by having it towed by a fast boat on the River Seine, making a flight of over 150 m (500 ft). The glider's wing and tail were made up of Hargrave cells, a box kite-like structure that provided a degree of inherent stability. This established the Hargrave cell as a configuration useful not only for kites but also for heavier-than-air aircraft. Santos-Dumont was living in Paris at the time, and was one of the most active "aeronauts" in Europe, having developed a series of non-rigid airships that displayed unparalleled agility, speed, endurance, and ease of control. Santos-Dumont met Voisin at the end of 1905, and commissioned him to help him construct an aircraft with the intention of attempting to win one of the prizes for heavier-than-air flights offered by the Aéro-Club de France to promote the development of heavier-than-air aviation in France. These included the Coupe Ernest Archdeacon prize of a silver trophy and 1500 francs for the first flight of 25 m (82 ft) and another prize of 1500 francs for the first flight of 100 m (330 ft).

14 Bis (band)

14 Bis is a Brazilian pop-rock band. The band took its name from Santos-Dumont's 14 Bis airplane.

The band was formed in 1979 in the state of Minas Gerais, when the members of two bands, O Terço and "Bendegó" decided to merge. Flávio Venturini and Vermelho, two founding members of 14 Bis, were also members of the Clube da Esquina band.

Música popular brasileira is a strong element in many of 14 Bis compositions. The influence of progressive rock and caipira (hillbilly) is evident in many of its compositions, such as in their use of analog keyboards and complex vocal arrangements.

The group reached the peak of their success during the 1980s with notable compositions and performance of popular Brazilian songs. Due to the mild, often happy and soothing theme of many of its compositions, the band was quite popular among children.

Discography