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Jan 1, 1480
The Aerial Screw was invented
The aerial screw was made sometime in the 1480's. The exact date is not specified. -
Period: Jan 1, 1480 to
History Of Helicopters
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First example of a flying machine doing work.
In July, 1754 Mikhail Lomonosov made a tandem rotor machine powered by a spring. He hoped that he could use it to help meteorologists lift tools. -
Christian de Launoy made a model demonstrating counter rotating propellers
In 1783 Christian de Launoy and his mechanic Bienvenu made a helicopter model with counter rotating propellers. The propellers were made with turkey feathers. -
The term "Helicopter" was coined
The word "helicopter" was thought up by French inventor Gustave de Ponton d'Amécourt. He made an aluminum, steam-powered helicopter, but it never lifted off the ground. -
Alfonse Penaud created one of the first helicopter toys powered by rubber bands
Alphonse Penaud was the first person to build and successfully fly heavier than air rubber band powered model flying machines. He flew his model at Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France -
First attempt at a manned flight
In 1907, Jacques and Louis Breguet created the Gyroplane No.1. It lifted its pilot about 2 feet in the air for a minute. However the plane was extremely unstable. -
Paul Cornu created the Cornu Helicopter
French inventor Paul Cornu built the Cornu Helicopter. It used two 20 feet counter rotating rotors powered by a 24 horsepower engine.It managed to raise Cornu about 7 feet, but it was unstable and the helicopter was abandoned. -
Jacob Ellehammer built the Ellehammer Helicopter
The Ellehammer Helicopter was equipped with two counter-rotating propellers with six vanes around it. The helicopter was destroyed in 1916 when it tipped over and destroyed its rotors. -
The first practical and functional helicopter was invented
The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 is often considered the first practical, functional helicopter, first flown in 1936. -
Bell Industries invented the first helicopter for civillian use
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. The Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use.
