History of Flight

By ruscelmarie
  • 400

    China

    The idea of kites made humans think of flying. The kites were used in ceremonies for religious matters, weather conditions, and some were used for fun.
  • Period: 400 to

    Aviation History

  • Aug 26, 1000

    Oliver of Malmesbury

    Oliver (or Eilmer) of Malmesbury was the first man to fly using wings. He flew for 125 paces before falling down and breaking his legs. This made more humans believe in flight.
  • Aug 26, 1100

    Constantinople, Turkey

    A man from Constantinople, Turkey used wings made out of fabric collected into pleats and folds. As he jumped down from a tower, he failed and died in the process.
  • Aug 26, 1300

    Marco Polo sees the kites in China

    Marco Polo, an Italian merchant traveller in the 1300s witnesses the kites carrying humans in China. According to his travel diary, there was a tradition in Weifang, China where testing the wind would show if a person will have a imminent voyage.
  • Aug 26, 1485

    Leonardo da Vinci makes the first real studies of flight

    da Vinci created over 100 drawings that show his theories about flight. He used mostly bird wings as models. The most famous illustration he made was the Ornithopter. It was never created but was a design that shwoed man could actually fly.
  • Aug 26, 1536

    Denis Bolor trys to fly

    Denis Bolor was a french flight enthusiast. He used spring mechanised wings. He died when he tried to used it.

  • Ahmet Çelebi

    Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi is a Turkish Scientist who flew from the Galata Tower across Bosphurus he flies some distance before landing a market

  • Royal Society of Britain

    In the 17th Century, the Royal Society of Great Britain passed out papers that encouraged members about aeronautics. Members were encouraged to create new information and several notes were created by men like RObert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren

  • Besnier the Locksmith

    A man in France named Besnier was a locksmith and created wings that were inspired by the webbed feet of a duck. He was lucky and survived his flight.

  • Father Bartolomeu de Gusmao demonstrated a model hot air balloon to King John V

    Father Bartolomeu de Gusmao demonstrated a model hot air balloon to King John V; the rounded envelope of thick paper was inflated by heated air from burning materials carried in a suspended earthenware bowl.

  • The first Hot Air Balloon

    The Montgolfier brothers created the very first hot air balloon in 1783. They used smoke from a flame and used silk fabric for the bag to make it light. On this date, Joseph Montgolfier flew with 6 passengers on board.

  • First Manned Parachute Jump

    On this date Andrew Jacques Garnerin did the first manned parachute jump.

  • Glider

    Glider
    Sir George Cayley creates the first fixed wing aircraft: the glider.

  • Wright Brothers open their first bicycle shop

  • Otto Lilienthal Dies

    Otto Lilienthal is dies from a gust of wind. Lilienthal is a German inventor that focused on Aerodynamics.

  • "Human Flight is Possible"

    On this date Wiblur Wright submits his belief that human flight is possible to the Smithsonian Institute and affirms

  • Zeppelin makes its debut

    A Zeppelin is a rigid aircraft made out of large metal structure and was the first on to use that kind of material. It was named after the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

  • Wright's First Flight

    The Wright brothers make their first glider flight. The brothers made the first actual fixed wing aircraft.