Eduardo Newbery
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Eduardo Newbery (c. 1872-October 17, 1908) was an Argentine medical doctor and aerostat pilot of British (English) descent. He was the brother of Jorge Newbery, and a founder of Argentina's first aero club. Despite being a pilot before Jorge Newbery, Eduardo Newbery is less known than his brother.
Eduardo Newbery was a practicing dentist. His real passion, however, was aviation. Fixed-wing aircraft were not available in Argentina during his era, therefore, Eduardo Newbery dedicated himself to the craft of flying the aerostat instead.
Newbery took several flights across Argentina, some of them setting national aerostat flying records. He was admired by many in Argentine society, becoming a celebrity. His mother, however, disapproved of his profession, always fearing for the fate of her child. His brother Jorge, however, was arguably his number one fan, and felt great respect and admiration for Eduardo.
Early in 1908, Newbery, along with Aaron de Anchorena, Arturo Luisoni, Horacio Anasagasti, Alberto Mascias, Antonio de Marchi, Carlos Himsher, and his brother, Jorge Newbery, formed the Argentine aero club. The organization was marred by a series of financial problems at first, and Newbery and other club members took it upon themselves to raise public awareness and funding of the club, by increasing his aerostat flight activities.
On October 17 of that year, Dr. Newbery took off along with Eduardo Romero on an aerostat flight that would take the pair from Buenos Aires to Argentina's north. The flight went on without any problems during the day, but at night, strong winds caused the aerostat machine to fall. Dr. Eduardo Newbery's body was found near a river, and the accident made him and Romero the first Argentines ever to lose their lives in an aircraft accident.
Many in Argentina, especially the pilots of the era, mourned Dr. Newbery's passing away. Jorge Newbery was deeply affected by the loss of his brother.
In 1916, another aerostat was baptized the "Dr. Eduardo Newbery aerostat". That aerostat went on to win national air competitions in Argentina.
