SettingsAviation inventors
Albert Francis Zahm
Albert Francis Zahm was a early aeronautical experimenter, a professor of physics, and a chief of the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Albert Francis Zahm was a early aeronautical experimenter, a professor of physics, and a chief of the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Albrecht Berblinger
Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger (June 24, 1770, Ulm – January 28, 1829, Ulm), also known as the Tailor of Ulm, is famous for having constructed a working flying machine, presumably a hang...
Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger (June 24, 1770, Ulm – January 28, 1829, Ulm), also known as the Tailor of Ulm, is famous for having constructed a working flying machine, presumably a hang...
Alexander Mozhaysky
Alexander Fedorovich Mozhayskiy, was a Russian naval officer, aviation pioneer, researcher and designer of heavier-than-air craft.
Alexander Fedorovich Mozhayskiy, was a Russian naval officer, aviation pioneer, researcher and designer of heavier-than-air craft.
Alexander P. de Seversky
Alexander Nikolaievich Prokofiev de Seversky was a Russian-American aviation pioneer, inventor, and influential advocate of strategic air power.
Alexander Nikolaievich Prokofiev de Seversky was a Russian-American aviation pioneer, inventor, and influential advocate of strategic air power.
Alphonse Pénaud
Alphonse Pénaud (May 31, 1850 – October 22, 1880), was a 19th-century French pioneer of aviation design and engineering.
Alphonse Pénaud (May 31, 1850 – October 22, 1880), was a 19th-century French pioneer of aviation design and engineering.
Anastase Dragomir
Anastase Dragomir (1896-1966) was a distinguished Romanian inventor, most famous for his "catapultable cockpit" patent (with Tănase Dobrescu) as an early version of the modern ejection seat.
Anastase Dragomir (1896-1966) was a distinguished Romanian inventor, most famous for his "catapultable cockpit" patent (with Tănase Dobrescu) as an early version of the modern ejection seat.
Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev
Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev was a Russian engineer and aviation pioneer.
Anatoly Georgievich Ufimtsev was a Russian engineer and aviation pioneer.
Arthur M. Young
Arthur Middleton Young (November 3, 1905 – May 30, 1995) was an American inventor, helicopter pioneer, cosmologist, philosopher, astrologer and author.
Arthur Middleton Young (November 3, 1905 – May 30, 1995) was an American inventor, helicopter pioneer, cosmologist, philosopher, astrologer and author.
Augustus Moore Herring
Augustus Moore Herring was an American aviation pioneer, who sometimes is claimed by Michigan promoters to be the first true aviator of a motorized heavier-than-air aircraft.
Augustus Moore Herring was an American aviation pioneer, who sometimes is claimed by Michigan promoters to be the first true aviator of a motorized heavier-than-air aircraft.
Aurel Vlaicu
Aurel Vlaicu (; November 19, 1882 – September 13, 1913) was a Romanian engineer, inventor, airplane constructor and early pilot.
Aurel Vlaicu (; November 19, 1882 – September 13, 1913) was a Romanian engineer, inventor, airplane constructor and early pilot.
Barry Hill Palmer
Barry Hill Palmer (b. November 10, 1937) is an American aeronautical engineer (UC Berkeley, 1961), inventor, builder and pilot of the first hang glider based on the Rogallo wing or flexible wing.
Barry Hill Palmer (b. November 10, 1937) is an American aeronautical engineer (UC Berkeley, 1961), inventor, builder and pilot of the first hang glider based on the Rogallo wing or flexible wing.
Birger Hønningstad
Birger Hønningstad (17 September 1904 in Ås, Akershus, Norway – 2 April 1976 in Oslo, Norway) was a Norwegian engineer and aircraft designer.
Birger Hønningstad (17 September 1904 in Ås, Akershus, Norway – 2 April 1976 in Oslo, Norway) was a Norwegian engineer and aircraft designer.
Burt Rutan
Elbert Leander "Burt" Rutan (born June 17, 1943) is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft.
Elbert Leander "Burt" Rutan (born June 17, 1943) is an American aerospace engineer noted for his originality in designing light, strong, unusual-looking, energy-efficient aircraft.
Carl Friedrich Meerwein
Carl Friedrich Meerwein (2 August 1737, in Leiselheim, - 6 December 1810, in Emmendingen) was a German civil engineer and aviation pioneer.
Carl Friedrich Meerwein (2 August 1737, in Leiselheim, - 6 December 1810, in Emmendingen) was a German civil engineer and aviation pioneer.
Charles Kaman
Charles Huron Kaman was an American aeronautical engineer, businessman, inventor and philanthropist, known for his work in rotary-wing flight and also in musical instrument design via the Kaman ...
Charles Huron Kaman was an American aeronautical engineer, businessman, inventor and philanthropist, known for his work in rotary-wing flight and also in musical instrument design via the Kaman ...
Domina Jalbert
Domina Jalbert invented the ram-air inflated flexible wing often called the "Jalbert parafoil".
Domina Jalbert invented the ram-air inflated flexible wing often called the "Jalbert parafoil".
Donald Beatty
Donald Croom Beatty (April 11, 1900 – July 12, 1980) was an American aviator, explorer, and inventor.
Donald Croom Beatty (April 11, 1900 – July 12, 1980) was an American aviator, explorer, and inventor.
E. Lilian Todd
E. Lilian Todd, originally from Washington, D.C and later New York City, was a self-taught inventor who grew up with a love for mechanical devices.
E. Lilian Todd, originally from Washington, D.C and later New York City, was a self-taught inventor who grew up with a love for mechanical devices.
Enea Bossi, Sr.
Enea Bossi, Sr. (29 March 1888–1963) was an Italian-American aerospace engineer and aviation pioneer.
Enea Bossi, Sr. (29 March 1888–1963) was an Italian-American aerospace engineer and aviation pioneer.
Francis Herbert Wenham
Francis Herbert Wenham (1824, Kensington – 1908) was a British marine engineer who studied the problem of manned flight and wrote a perceptive and influential academic paper which he presented t...
Francis Herbert Wenham (1824, Kensington – 1908) was a British marine engineer who studied the problem of manned flight and wrote a perceptive and influential academic paper which he presented t...
Frank Piasecki
Frank Piasecki (, ; October 24, 1919 – February 11, 2008) was an American engineer and helicopter aviation pioneer.
Frank Piasecki (, ; October 24, 1919 – February 11, 2008) was an American engineer and helicopter aviation pioneer.
Frederick Marriott
Frederick Marriott (c. 1805 – December 16, 1884) was an early aviation pioneer and creator of the Avitor Hermes Jr. which was the first unmanned aircraft to fly under its own power in the Un...
Frederick Marriott (c. 1805 – December 16, 1884) was an early aviation pioneer and creator of the Avitor Hermes Jr. which was the first unmanned aircraft to fly under its own power in the Un...
Friedrich Hermann Wölfert
Friedrich Hermann Wölfert (17 November 1850 in Riethnordhausen, Kreis Sangerhausen - 12 June 1897 in Tempelhof (in Berlin)) was a German publisher and aviation pioneer.
Friedrich Hermann Wölfert (17 November 1850 in Riethnordhausen, Kreis Sangerhausen - 12 June 1897 in Tempelhof (in Berlin)) was a German publisher and aviation pioneer.
George Cayley
Sir George Cayley, 6th Baronet (27 December 1773 – 15 December 1857) was a prolific English engineer and one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics.
Sir George Cayley, 6th Baronet (27 December 1773 – 15 December 1857) was a prolific English engineer and one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics.
George de Bothezat
George de Bothezat (Gheorghe Botezatu, Георгий Александрович Ботезат, June 7, 1882 – February 1, 1940) was a Russian American engineer, businessman and pioneer of helicopter flight.
George de Bothezat (Gheorghe Botezatu, Георгий Александрович Ботезат, June 7, 1882 – February 1, 1940) was a Russian American engineer, businessman and pioneer of helicopter flight.
Gerhard Neumann
Gerhard Neumann (October 8, 1917 – November 2, 1997) was a German-American aviation engineer and executive for General Electric's aircraft engine division (which today is called GE Aviation).
Gerhard Neumann (October 8, 1917 – November 2, 1997) was a German-American aviation engineer and executive for General Electric's aircraft engine division (which today is called GE Aviation).
Glenn Odekirk
Glenn Odekirk, was an American aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to the work of Hughes Aircraft.
Glenn Odekirk, was an American aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to the work of Hughes Aircraft.
Gustav Mesmer
Gustav Mesmer was the fifth of 10 children.
Gustav Mesmer was the fifth of 10 children.
Gustave Whitehead
Gustave Albin Whitehead, born Gustav Albin Weisskopf (1 January 1874 – 10 October 1927) was an aviation pioneer who emigrated from Germany to the U.S., where he designed and built early fl...
Gustave Albin Whitehead, born Gustav Albin Weisskopf (1 January 1874 – 10 October 1927) was an aviation pioneer who emigrated from Germany to the U.S., where he designed and built early fl...
Harry Hinde
Harry H. Hinde was a Missouri State Representative, businessman, aircraft designer, patent holder, and inventor.
Harry H. Hinde was a Missouri State Representative, businessman, aircraft designer, patent holder, and inventor.
Henri Coandă
Henri Marie Coandă (; 7 June 1886 – 25 November 1972) was a Romanian inventor, aerodynamics pioneer and builder of an experimental aircraft, the Coandă-1910 described by Coandă in the mid-...
Henri Marie Coandă (; 7 June 1886 – 25 November 1972) was a Romanian inventor, aerodynamics pioneer and builder of an experimental aircraft, the Coandă-1910 described by Coandă in the mid-...
Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi
Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi was a legendary Ottoman aviator of 17th-century Constantinople (present day Istanbul), purported to have achieved sustained unpowered flight.
Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi was a legendary Ottoman aviator of 17th-century Constantinople (present day Istanbul), purported to have achieved sustained unpowered flight.
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist.
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist.
Hugh DeHaven
Hugh DeHaven was an American pilot, engineer and passive safety pioneer.
Hugh DeHaven was an American pilot, engineer and passive safety pioneer.
Hugo Junkers
Hugo Junkers (3 February 1859 – 3 February 1935) was an innovative German engineer, as his many patents in varied areas (gas engines, aeroplanes) show.
Hugo Junkers (3 February 1859 – 3 February 1935) was an innovative German engineer, as his many patents in varied areas (gas engines, aeroplanes) show.
Igor Sikorsky
Igor Sikorsky, born Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky, was a Russian American pioneer of aviation in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Igor Sikorsky, born Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky, was a Russian American pioneer of aviation in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Jan Lavezzari
Jan Lavezzari (January 3, 1876 – May 11, 1947) was a gifted painter, born in Paris, France from a well known architect: Emile Lavezzari.
Jan Lavezzari (January 3, 1876 – May 11, 1947) was a gifted painter, born in Paris, France from a well known architect: Emile Lavezzari.
Jim Bede
James R. "Jim" Bede is an aircraft designer, who is often credited with the creation of the modern kitplane market.
James R. "Jim" Bede is an aircraft designer, who is often credited with the creation of the modern kitplane market.
John Joseph Montgomery
John Joseph Montgomery (February 15, 1858 – October 31, 1911) was an American aviation pioneer, inventor, and professor at Santa Clara College in San Diego, California.
John Joseph Montgomery (February 15, 1858 – October 31, 1911) was an American aviation pioneer, inventor, and professor at Santa Clara College in San Diego, California.
John Stringfellow
John Stringfellow (1799 – 13 December 1883) was born in Sheffield, England and is known for his work on the Aerial Steam Carriage with William Samuel Henson.
John Stringfellow (1799 – 13 December 1883) was born in Sheffield, England and is known for his work on the Aerial Steam Carriage with William Samuel Henson.
Lagâri Hasan Çelebi
Lagari Hasan Çelebi was a legendary Ottoman aviator who, according to an account written by Evliya Çelebi, made a successful manned rocket flight.
Lagari Hasan Çelebi was a legendary Ottoman aviator who, according to an account written by Evliya Çelebi, made a successful manned rocket flight.
Lawrence Sperry
Lawrence Burst Sperry (born 22 December 1892; Chicago, Illinois, United States – died on or about 23 December 1923; English Channel) was an aviation pioneer.
Lawrence Burst Sperry (born 22 December 1892; Chicago, Illinois, United States – died on or about 23 December 1923; English Channel) was an aviation pioneer.
Lewis Archer Boswell
Lewis Archer Boswell (1834 – 1909) was an early aviation pioneer who some believe made the first powered heavier-than-air flight, before the Wright Brothers.
Lewis Archer Boswell (1834 – 1909) was an early aviation pioneer who some believe made the first powered heavier-than-air flight, before the Wright Brothers.
Louis Pierre Mouillard
Louis Pierre Mouillard (September 30, 1834 – September 20, 1897) was a Frenchman who worked on flight in the second half of the 19th century.
Louis Pierre Mouillard (September 30, 1834 – September 20, 1897) was a Frenchman who worked on flight in the second half of the 19th century.
Lyman Gilmore
Lyman Wiswell Gilmore, Jr. (June 11, 1874 Beaver Creek, Thurston County, Washington- February 18, 1951) was an aviation pioneer.
Lyman Wiswell Gilmore, Jr. (June 11, 1874 Beaver Creek, Thurston County, Washington- February 18, 1951) was an aviation pioneer.
Michael Stroukoff
Michael Stroukoff was a Russian-born aircraft designer, who served in the White Army before emigrating to the United States.
Michael Stroukoff was a Russian-born aircraft designer, who served in the White Army before emigrating to the United States.
Miroslav Hajn
Miroslav Hajn was a chief designer at ČKD-Praga, one of the largest engineering companies in the former Czechoslovakia and today's Czech Republic.
Miroslav Hajn was a chief designer at ČKD-Praga, one of the largest engineering companies in the former Czechoslovakia and today's Czech Republic.
Mozhaysky's airplane
Mozhaysky's airplane was an experimental Russian airplane designed and built by a naval officer, Alexander Mozhaysky (also transliterated as Mozhayski, Mozhaiski and Mozhayskiy).
Mozhaysky's airplane was an experimental Russian airplane designed and built by a naval officer, Alexander Mozhaysky (also transliterated as Mozhayski, Mozhaiski and Mozhayskiy).
Octave Chanute
Octave Chanute (February 18, 1832, Paris – November 23, 1910, Chicago, Illinois) was a French-born American railway engineer and aviation pioneer.
Octave Chanute (February 18, 1832, Paris – November 23, 1910, Chicago, Illinois) was a French-born American railway engineer and aviation pioneer.
Ognjeslav Kostović Stepanović
Ognjeslav Kostović Stepanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Огњеслав Костовић Степановић) (1851- 16 December 1916) was an Serbian inventor.
Ognjeslav Kostović Stepanović (Serbian Cyrillic: Огњеслав Костовић Степановић) (1851- 16 December 1916) was an Serbian inventor.
Otto Lilienthal
Otto Lilienthal (May 23, 1848 – August 10, 1896) was a German pioneer of human aviation who became known as the Glider King.
Otto Lilienthal (May 23, 1848 – August 10, 1896) was a German pioneer of human aviation who became known as the Glider King.
Paul Fitts
Paul M. Fitts (1912–1965) was a psychologist at Ohio State University (later at the University of Michigan).
Paul M. Fitts (1912–1965) was a psychologist at Ohio State University (later at the University of Michigan).
Paul Moller
Dr. Paul S. Moller (born 1936, Canada) is an engineer who has spent the past forty years developing the Moller Skycar personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle.
Dr. Paul S. Moller (born 1936, Canada) is an engineer who has spent the past forty years developing the Moller Skycar personal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle.
Pavel Beneš
Pavel Beneš was a chief designer at ČKD-Praga, one of the largest engineering companies in the former Czechoslovakia and today's Czech Republic.
Pavel Beneš was a chief designer at ČKD-Praga, one of the largest engineering companies in the former Czechoslovakia and today's Czech Republic.
Percy Pilcher
Percy Sinclair Pilcher (16 January 1866 – 2 October 1899) was a British inventor and pioneer aviator who was his country's foremost experimenter in unpowered flight at the end of the 19th Century.
Percy Sinclair Pilcher (16 January 1866 – 2 October 1899) was a British inventor and pioneer aviator who was his country's foremost experimenter in unpowered flight at the end of the 19th Century.
Preston Watson
Preston Watson (1880–1915) was a Scottish aviation pioneer, who is sometimes said to have been the first true aviator.
Preston Watson (1880–1915) was a Scottish aviation pioneer, who is sometimes said to have been the first true aviator.
Raúl Pateras Pescara
Raúl Pateras Pescara de Castelluccio, marquis of Pateras-Pescara, was an engineer and inventor from Argentina who specialized in automobiles, helicopters and free-piston engines.
Raúl Pateras Pescara de Castelluccio, marquis of Pateras-Pescara, was an engineer and inventor from Argentina who specialized in automobiles, helicopters and free-piston engines.
Rex Buren Beisel
Rex Buren Beisel (24 October 1893 – February 1972) was an aeronautical engineer who led the design of the Vought F4U Corsair and won the Wright Brothers Medal in 1934 for work related to the coo...
Rex Buren Beisel (24 October 1893 – February 1972) was an aeronautical engineer who led the design of the Vought F4U Corsair and won the Wright Brothers Medal in 1934 for work related to the coo...
Richard Pearse
Richard William Pearse (3 December 1877–29 July 1953), son of Cornish immigrants from St Columb near Newquay, a New Zealand farmer and inventor who performed pioneering experiments in aviation.
Richard William Pearse (3 December 1877–29 July 1953), son of Cornish immigrants from St Columb near Newquay, a New Zealand farmer and inventor who performed pioneering experiments in aviation.
Rodrig Goliescu
Rodrig Goliescu was a Romanian inventor, engineer, and Lieutenant, who built the avioplan, the first airplane with a tubular fuselage.The model, with a length of 1.2 m was successfully teste...
Rodrig Goliescu was a Romanian inventor, engineer, and Lieutenant, who built the avioplan, the first airplane with a tubular fuselage.The model, with a length of 1.2 m was successfully teste...
Rostislav Alexeyev
Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeyev (Ростисла́в Евге́ньевич Алексе́ев; December 18, 1916, Novozybkov, Chernigov Governorate (now Bryansk Oblast), Russian Empire – February 9, 1980, Gorky, USSR) was a...
Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeyev (Ростисла́в Евге́ньевич Алексе́ев; December 18, 1916, Novozybkov, Chernigov Governorate (now Bryansk Oblast), Russian Empire – February 9, 1980, Gorky, USSR) was a...
Samuel Pierpont Langley
Samuel Pierpont Langley was an American astronomer, physicist, inventor of the bolometer and pioneer of aviation.
Samuel Pierpont Langley was an American astronomer, physicist, inventor of the bolometer and pioneer of aviation.
Sergei Korolev
Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was the lead Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s.
Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was the lead Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s.
Sherman Fairchild
Sherman Mills Fairchild was an inventor and serial entrepreneur who founded over 70 companies, including Fairchild Aircraft, Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Aviation Corporation and Fairchild Ca...
Sherman Mills Fairchild was an inventor and serial entrepreneur who founded over 70 companies, including Fairchild Aircraft, Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Aviation Corporation and Fairchild Ca...
Solomon Andrews (inventor)
Solomon Andrews (1806-1872) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey invented the first dirigible airship.
Solomon Andrews (1806-1872) of Perth Amboy, New Jersey invented the first dirigible airship.
Stanko Bloudek
Stanko Bloudek was a Slovenian aeroplane and automobile designer, a sportsman and a sport inventor, designer, builder and educator.
Stanko Bloudek was a Slovenian aeroplane and automobile designer, a sportsman and a sport inventor, designer, builder and educator.
Traian Vuia
Traian Vuia was a Romanian inventor and aviation pioneer who designed, built and tested the first powered monoplane.
Traian Vuia was a Romanian inventor and aviation pioneer who designed, built and tested the first powered monoplane.
Victor Tatin
Victor Tatin(1843-1913) was a French inventor, who created an early airplane, the Aéroplane in 1879.
Victor Tatin(1843-1913) was a French inventor, who created an early airplane, the Aéroplane in 1879.
Vladimir Barmin
Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin was the Soviet scientist, designer of the rocket launch complexes.
Vladimir Pavlovich Barmin was the Soviet scientist, designer of the rocket launch complexes.
Willard Ray Custer
Willard Ray Custer (born June 6, 1899 in Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania, died December 25, 1985 in Hagerstown, Maryland) was an American engineer and aircraft visionary, inventor of the channel wing...
Willard Ray Custer (born June 6, 1899 in Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania, died December 25, 1985 in Hagerstown, Maryland) was an American engineer and aircraft visionary, inventor of the channel wing...
William Samuel Henson
William Samuel Henson, was a pre-Wright brothers aviation engineer and inventor.
William Samuel Henson, was a pre-Wright brothers aviation engineer and inventor.
Woodrow Wilson Skirvin
Woodrow Wilson Skirvin (born September 19, 1916) was an American inventor, industrialist, aviator and a prominent Indiana businessmen in the mid-20th century.
Woodrow Wilson Skirvin (born September 19, 1916) was an American inventor, industrialist, aviator and a prominent Indiana businessmen in the mid-20th century.
Wright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's firs...
The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's firs...
Władysław Zalewski
Władysław Zalewski (January 21, 1892 in Warsaw – November 25, 1977 in London) was a Polish aviation engineer, constructor of aeroplanes and aeroplane engines.
Władysław Zalewski (January 21, 1892 in Warsaw – November 25, 1977 in London) was a Polish aviation engineer, constructor of aeroplanes and aeroplane engines.