Lemaire

   In 1907 Jules Lemaire, a wine-dealer in Bonneval, built an ornithopter. Each elliptical surface was supported by a single kingpost and many guy-wires. A central pylon braced the whole thing, and a thin outrigger carried a tall triangular rudder surface; there was no place for any engine. Lemaire was the first in his village to own an automobile, and later he bought his own Bleriot XI, which he wrecked while trying to fly solo.