Jacques Schneider (1879–1928) was the French financier, balloonist and aircraft enthusiast, who created the Schneider Trophy.
He was the son of an armament manufacturer. For a long time, with 10,081 m he held the high altitude record in ballooning. His interest in engine powered heavier-than-air flights started when he saw Wilbur Wright performing a flight demonstration in Le Mans in August 1908. Forced to abandon flying after a severe accident, he became a constant supporter of various flight contests. On September 5, 1912, at the Aéroclub de France, he proposed the “Coupe d'Aviation Maritime Jacques Schneider” (Schneider Trophy), a contest for seaplanes that should support the technical progress of civil aviation. Participants had to fly a distance of at least 150 miles. The reward for the winner was 25,000 gold francs and a cup worth the same as the prize. If a nation won the cup three times within five years, the cup would belong to them.