On October 19, 1901, the people of Paris turned out by the thousands to watch a dashing, impeccably dressed Brazilian-born inventor, Alberto Santos-Dumont, conquer the skies. His fragile, gas-powered balloon made an astounding half-hour flight over the city and around the Eiffel Tower. Later, he piloted Europe's first-ever airplane flight. For a brief moment of glory, Santos was the toast of Paris and acclaimed around the world. Then, eclipsed by the growing fame of the Wright brothers, Santos began slipping into illness and depression. During World War I, the airplane, which he believed to be his own invention, became a lethal weapon, a turn of events that eventually drove him to despair and suicide.