Early French Aviation 1905-1930

France has been called the cradle of aviation by many a fact that cannot be disputed. By the end of the 19th century, she led the world in lighter-than-air flight. Any concern about heavier-than-air flight was dismissed as inevitable, and France would achieve it in due course. By the time Bleriot bravely enquired 'which way is England?' the country was ready to redress any perceived shortfall. Besides leading European aviation, France was the nation that named all the parts of an aeroplane with words many of which we still use today. All these technological achievements and all this innovation drew reporters and photographers like moths to a flame. The men, the machines, the places and the events all were recorded, reported, reproduced and then were filed away. In the mid-1990s the author came across one such treasure-trove; a number of albums containing around 500 images of aircraft, airships and expositions, so this will probably be the first time these French pioneers have ever been showcased.