Jacques Schneider

Jacques Schneider (1879–1928) was the French financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, who created the Schneider Trophy.

He was the son of an armament manufacturer. For a long time, with 10,081 m he held the high altitude record in ballooning. His interest in engine powered heavier-than-air flights started when he saw Wilbur Wright performing a flight demonstration in Le Mans in August 1908. After he had to abandon flying due to a severe accident, he became the constant supporter of various flight contests. On September 5, 1912 at the "Aéroclub de France", he proposed the “Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider” (Schneider Trophy), a contest for seaplanes that should support the technical progress of civil aviation. The participants had to fly a distance of at least 150 miles. The reward for the winner was 25.000 gold francs and a cup worth the same prize. In case a nation would win the cup within five years three times, the cup should be finally belong to them.

Persondata
NAME=Schneider, Jacques
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Inventor of the Schneider Trophy
DATE OF BIRTH=1879
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=1928
PLACE OF DEATH=