Bleriot crossing the Channel. Historical artwork of the French aviator Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) crossing the English Channel on 25 July 1909. Bleriot began building aircraft as early as 1900, when he designed an ornithopter. From 1903-1906 he worked with Gabriel Voisin. In 1909, he attempted to win the large sum of money on offer to anyone who could fly across the English Channel. Flying in a Bleriot XI plane, he won the prize by flying from Calais to Dover in 40 minutes. Artwork from the period 1920-1930, by the artist L. Pousthomis, published in the French book Histoire de l'Aviation (History of Aviation).