Thanks to our field aviation news scout, Eric Lambart, we have two interesting BBC aviation stories to explore regarding the world’s original Air Show, which first opened its doors in Paris in 1909. Back then it was held indoors at the Grand Palais, where over 100,000 visitors attended and over 380 exhibitors showed off their new aviation designs. The Air Show grew so large it could no longer be housed indoors, so it was moved to Le Bourget in 1953. Of course it was not held during WWII, but did reopen in 1946. Earlier, by 1926, one could see that civil aviation was growing rapidly, since there were more civilian aircraft on display than military ships – for the first time. This year, one of the stars of the show will be America’s newest Airliner. Performing extreme maneuvers usually reserved for fighter jets, the new Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” will bring gasps from the crowds, as they watch it take off and climb almost vertically into the sky. Also expected are the latest versions of the super jumbo jet manufactured jointly by the British and the French, the Airbus 380, still an impressive aircraft. Click on photos, either below or above, to be taken directly to either the short video display, or to the collection of 12 early photos depicting the famous Paris Air Show.