Peno Alphonse (Penaud, Alphonse)

(1850-1880)
Born in 1850 in Paris. In 1871, presented to the French Society of balloonists 'planofor' - the first model aircraft driven by twisted rubber bands, which flew about 40 meters for 11 with. Model helicopter colliding with two screws, made of feathers, rose to a height of 15 meters and became the prototype of the toy, which was struck by the Wright brothers in childhood, and probably influenced their fate. Peno was an active member of the French Society of balloonists and in its official gazette of the 'aeronaut' published their articles, including on the mathematical theory of flying birds. The most significant of his invention was the construction of the amphibious monoplane, for which he received a patent in 1876. Amphibian Monoplane had faired fuselage, . wing with a slight elongation and thick profile, . bearing lining, . metal propellers with adjustable angle, . retractable landing gear (to facilitate the take-off from the water provided planing steps, . retractable in flight), . closed cockpit and passenger cabin, . absorbers, . autopilot, . single lever,
. Many of the ideas contained in the patent were implemented only after 1930. Peno - the author of many technical innovations, such as a valve for the balloon method for determining air pressure at different parts of the bearing planes in flight, vehicle safety study using high-speed photography. Circumstances of death Peno is not fully known. The report of his death was published in the journal 'aeronaut' for November 1880.