In the fall of 1910 no one could agree on what to call this daring new breed of men in the heavier-than-air flying machine. Aviators and fliers were the most popular (and prosaic) monikers, but journalists trawled their imaginations to come up with more colorful descriptions. Browsing through the newspapers on any given day, one might read of “birdmen” or “man birds,” “dragon fliers” or “flierlings.” Those reporters with a more lyrical bent opted for “wizards of the sky” or “flying gladiators.” Those less predisposed to melodrama simply called the men at the controls “jockeys,” “riders,” “chauffeurs,” or “navigators of the upper regions.” Just about the only word not deemed appropriate was pilot. Therefore, in keeping with the times, I refer to the men throughout the book either as fliers or aviators, and never as pilots. Similarly, aeroplane was as common as airplane, but for expediency I stick with the latter.
In addition, the International Aviation Cup, or the Coupe Internationale d’Aviation as the French called it, was sponsored by Gordon Bennett, publisher of the New York Herald newspaper. He also put his name to the International Balloon Cup. The trophies were often described by newspapers as the Gordon Bennett Aviation Cup and the Gordon Bennett Balloon Cup. To prevent confusion, I refer at all times to the International Aviation Cup and the International Balloon Cup.