Maurice Farman

Maurice Farman, 1909

Two of the Imperial Japanese Navy seaplane carrier Wakamiya's Maurice Farman seaplanes stationned on land in Tsingtao in 1914.

Maurice Alain Farman (March 21, 1877 - February 25, 1964) was a French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer. Born in Paris to English parents, he and his brothers Richard and Henri Farman were important pioneers developers of aviation in Europe.

A champion tandem cyclist with brother Henri, Maurice Farman began racing Panhard automobiles and won the 1901 Grand Prix de Pau, the first race ever to be called a Grand Prix. In May of 1902 he won the "Circuit du Nord" race from Paris to Arras and back. He also competed in that year's Paris to Vienna race won by Marcel Renault. However, Farman's interest quickly turned to powered flight and in 1909 he set world's endurance and speed records. He soon began to manufacture airplanes and in 1912 merged his business with his brother's aircraft company to give the Farman Aviation Works

Maurice Farman died in Paris in 1964. To the end of his life Maurice never obtained a pilot's license.