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- Man Driving a Bollee Automobile, 1900-1910 - Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- circa 1900-circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Man Driving a Bollee Automobile, 1900-1910
Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans -- Item111 - The "Le Mans start" was among the more unusual scenes in motorsport. Drivers lined up across the track from their cars. When the starting flag dropped, they sprinted off and scrambled into their vehicles. In their hurry, most drivers did not strap into their seats until they were well underway. Race officials switched to a safer rolling start after 1969.
- June 01, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
1966 24 Hours of Le Mans -- Item111
The "Le Mans start" was among the more unusual scenes in motorsport. Drivers lined up across the track from their cars. When the starting flag dropped, they sprinted off and scrambled into their vehicles. In their hurry, most drivers did not strap into their seats until they were well underway. Race officials switched to a safer rolling start after 1969.
- Bollee Automobile, 1900-1910 - Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- circa 1900-circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Bollee Automobile, 1900-1910
Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- Bollee Automobile Outdoors, 1900-1910 - Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- circa 1900-circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Bollee Automobile Outdoors, 1900-1910
Leon Bollee Automobiles was established in Le Mans, France, in 1895 and produced vehicles until 1931. The company's founder and namesake, Leon Bollee, made another significant contribution to transportation history. He befriended Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights near Le Mans in 1908. Bollee offered Wright the use of his factory and mechanics for the duration of the flights.
- Wright Flyer on Carrier inside Bollee Automobile Factory, Le Mans, France, 1908 - Leon Bollee, a French automobile manufacturer, became one of the Wright brothers' most important friends in 1908 when he offered workspace and a crew of mechanics to Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights at Le Mans, France. The language barrier meant that Wright did most of the mechanical work on the airplane himself, but Bollee's assistance was much appreciated.
- August 01, 1908
- Collections - Artifact
Wright Flyer on Carrier inside Bollee Automobile Factory, Le Mans, France, 1908
Leon Bollee, a French automobile manufacturer, became one of the Wright brothers' most important friends in 1908 when he offered workspace and a crew of mechanics to Wilbur Wright during Wright's successful demonstration flights at Le Mans, France. The language barrier meant that Wright did most of the mechanical work on the airplane himself, but Bollee's assistance was much appreciated.
- Leon Bollee Sitting at the Controls of the Wright Flyer at Camp d'Auvours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909 - Leon Bollee was a close and important friend to Wilbur Wright during Wright's airplane demonstrations in France in 1908. Bollee offered Wright workspace and a crew of mechanics in his Le Mans automobile factory, and he asked for nothing in return. Nevertheless, Wright repaid the favor by taking Bollee up for a flight.
- 1908-1909
- Collections - Artifact
Leon Bollee Sitting at the Controls of the Wright Flyer at Camp d'Auvours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909
Leon Bollee was a close and important friend to Wilbur Wright during Wright's airplane demonstrations in France in 1908. Bollee offered Wright workspace and a crew of mechanics in his Le Mans automobile factory, and he asked for nothing in return. Nevertheless, Wright repaid the favor by taking Bollee up for a flight.
- Wilbur Wright and Passenger during a Flight over Camp D'Avours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909 - The Wright brothers are famous for their first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air craft on December 17, 1903. It was not until August 8, 1908 that they made their first official public demonstration of their unique controllable flyer. This shows Wilbur Wright flying near the ground while taking off at Les Hunandières horse racing track near Le Mans, France.
- 1908-1909
- Collections - Artifact
Wilbur Wright and Passenger during a Flight over Camp D'Avours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909
The Wright brothers are famous for their first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air craft on December 17, 1903. It was not until August 8, 1908 that they made their first official public demonstration of their unique controllable flyer. This shows Wilbur Wright flying near the ground while taking off at Les Hunandières horse racing track near Le Mans, France.
- Leon Bollee in the Wright Flyer, Camp d'Auvours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909 - Leon Bollee was a close and important friend to Wilbur Wright during Wright's airplane demonstrations in France in 1908. Bollee offered Wright workspace and a crew of mechanics in his Le Mans automobile factory, and he asked for nothing in return. Nevertheless, Wright repaid the favor by taking Bollee up for a flight.
- August 1908-02 January 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Leon Bollee in the Wright Flyer, Camp d'Auvours, near Le Mans, France, 1908-1909
Leon Bollee was a close and important friend to Wilbur Wright during Wright's airplane demonstrations in France in 1908. Bollee offered Wright workspace and a crew of mechanics in his Le Mans automobile factory, and he asked for nothing in return. Nevertheless, Wright repaid the favor by taking Bollee up for a flight.
- Start of the 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans) Race, June 1967 - The "Le Mans start" was one of the French endurance race's more unusual customs. Drivers started on their feet, across the track from their respective cars. When the flag dropped, they ran to their vehicles, scrambled inside, and started the cars -- often not bothering to strap in until they were underway. Safety concerns ended the Le Mans start after 1969.
- 10 June 1967 - 11 June 1967
- Collections - Artifact
Start of the 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans) Race, June 1967
The "Le Mans start" was one of the French endurance race's more unusual customs. Drivers started on their feet, across the track from their respective cars. When the flag dropped, they ran to their vehicles, scrambled inside, and started the cars -- often not bothering to strap in until they were underway. Safety concerns ended the Le Mans start after 1969.
- 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans -- Item281 - Henry Ford II (center) celebrated with Bruce McLaren (left) and Chris Amon (right) after the two New Zealanders won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford GT40 Mark II. Ford swept the podium that year, taking second and third places too. It was a milestone victory over Ferrari, the Italian automaker long dominant at the French race.
- June 01, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
1966 24 Hours of Le Mans -- Item281
Henry Ford II (center) celebrated with Bruce McLaren (left) and Chris Amon (right) after the two New Zealanders won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford GT40 Mark II. Ford swept the podium that year, taking second and third places too. It was a milestone victory over Ferrari, the Italian automaker long dominant at the French race.