a passarola (great name for pussy, though) was a portuguese guy. of noble birth, although part spanish. who cares if it its first experiences were in brazil? the detailed account of it is still on the portuguese archives and the patent was given after the demonstration to the king in terreiro do pao (downtown lisbon).  also, the catalans had steam propelled ships in the xvi century.  the germans told them to cut it off. it had no future. spain was under the holly roman empire or something.
Portugal