After studying mechanics, Alfred Lanser (1886-1960), like a lot of young men of the time was attracted by aviation. In 1909, he found an adequate engine and began to build a plane around it, a big tractor biplane. He tested it at the Kiewit airfield north of Hasselt, Belgium, but didn't manage to make it fly. In 1910 Lanser bought a Farman and was granted Belgian license number 16. After frequent appearances at aviation meetings in 1910-1912 he started building planes of his own design, but he also invented self-sealing tanks for airplanes, before a long career in industry and business in several countries.