A roundabout honouring an aviation pioneer
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (363805)
Rockingham, Australia
September 23, 2025 10:32pm CST
Here is another roundabout photo. There is a model of plane and the sign, Henri Farman, with birth and death dates. Farman was a British-French aviator, aircraft designer and manufacturer. Before turning to aviation, he was an all-round sportsman but specialised in cycling and motor racing.
After building a homemade glider and experimenting with model aeroplanes, he purchased a Voisin 1907 biplane in 1907 and went on to set many distance and duration records. His 771 metres in 52 seconds was the longest flight in the world for 1907. The same year he completed the first full circle in a plane. I guess until then, planes could only fly in straight lines. In 1908, he flew from Bouy to Reims, a distance of 27 kms. It’s hard to imagine such a flight being significant.
In early 1909, he began manufacturing his own planes and also opened a flying school. With his brothers, Maurice and Richard, he continued to build planes and their 1914 model was used extensively during WWI for artillery observant and reconnaissance. In 1919, their Goliath model began regular passenger flights from Paris to London.
I don’t know if the photo was taken somewhere around Paris or maybe near Reims but it obviously honours Henri Farman. I’d never heard of him despite his aviation exploits.
9 people like this
9 responses

@Tampa_girl7 (53482)
• United States
24 Sep
Most roundabouts that I have seen are mostly decorated with flowers.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197326)
• United States
25 Sep
That is really cool. I don't actually think that would "fly" here pun intended. It probably would be thought of as too distracting..and also prone to vandalism.
@allknowing (154217)
• India
25 Sep
I was just thinking whether what one sees in the rundabout does not disturb the drivers.
@Juliaacv (54792)
• Canada
24 Sep
That is quite interesting.
I enjoy seeing items that have a special history to them in the center of the roundabouts.
Another city, not far from us, is known as the railroad city, and they hired an artist to make a railroad out of steel.
It stands so beautifully to welcome those entering the roundabout to their city.
The little ones in our city, which we have many, are usually just filled with trees, they only do the large ones with items.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (9457)
• Philippines
24 Sep
The only word that comes to my head while reading this is "BRAVERY". Can't imagine how brave he is to design it and try it for himself, and thosse who have tried it believing in him that they willnot die in midway, to think that it was used in WWI that's so freaking heartstopping, but ...yes its full of bravery and the man is a risktaker.
@wolfgirl569 (123491)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Sep
It's hard to picture not being able to fly very far now. But then those short trips were amazing
@LindaOHio (203076)
• United States
24 Sep
Interesting. I had no idea that the roundabouts were "decorated" the way that they are. Lots of good history.
