22 June 2009

On 25 September 1909 the Exposition Internationale de Locomotion Aerienne opened its doors at the Grand Palais near the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Present at the exposition were 380 exhibitors who displayed their latest aviation products to over 100,000 visitors. Many of these exhibitors formed the first aviation industry organization, the Chambre Syndicale des Industries Aeronautiques. Taking place less than six years after the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, the exposition was the forerunner of today's premier aviation industry show, the Paris Air Show. Many historians point to this exposition as the birth of the modern aerospace industry as well. This year's Paris Air Show marks its 100th Anniversary dating back to that first exposition.

Source: Aviation Week and Space Technology, June 15, 2009. "1909-2009- Le Bourget Then and Now" by Anthony L. Velocci, Jr, p80.

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