"The first kilometer", Henry Farman, 1908 - oil on canvas

In America, the Wright brothers make 30 minutes long flights but the Europeans, like Henry Farman, are improving their machines. At Issy-les-Moulineaux, in 1908, Farman flies for the first time more than one kilometre with an aiplane built by Gabriel Voisin. It seems to be a modest achievement, but after this encouraging performance, the French pioneers are on their way to equal and even outclass the Wright brother's biplane.