History
- For history of gliders, see Glider aircraft
- For history of glider/sailplanes, see Glider (sailplane)
- For history of hang gliders, see History of hang gliding
- For history of paragliders, see Paragliding
- For history of balloons, see Balloon
- For history of kites, see Kite
- For history of airborne wind energy aircraft, see High altitude wind power
The first manned aircraft were kites, balloons and gliders. Kites are recorded in ancient Chinese history as being used for lifting men. Unmanned hot air balloons are also recorded in Chinese history. However the first free flight (i.e., untethered) by manned craft was by balloon built by the brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier in Annonay, France in 1783. The first practical, controllable glider was designed and built by the British scientist and pioneer George Cayley who many recognise as the first aeronautical engineer. It flew in 1849. Thereafter gliders were used for aerodynamic research, until their sporting use was developed in the 1920s.
Read more about this topic: Unpowered Aircraft
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Every library should try to be complete on something, if it were only the history of pinheads.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–1894)
“All things are moral. That soul, which within us is a sentiment, outside of us is a law. We feel its inspiration; out there in history we can see its fatal strength.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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—Terri Apter (20th century)