Bartolomeu de Gusmão was a Portuguese priest and inventor born in 1685. He is best known for his pioneering work in aeronautics and is often credited with creating one of the first airships. His experiments with lighter-than-air flight laid the groundwork for future developments in aviation. In 1709, Gusmão demonstrated his flying machine, a balloon-like device, before the Portuguese court. Although his invention did not achieve practical success, it captured the imagination of many and contributed to the scientific discourse on flight. He later moved to Brazil, where he continued his work until his death in 1724.