Otto Lilienthal (1848–96,) born Karl Wilhelm Otto Lilienthal, was a German aviation pioneer known as the “father of flight” for his groundbreaking work with gliders. He was the first person to achieve well-documented, repeated, successful flights in heavier-than-air craft.
Born in Anklam, Prussia (now Germany,) he studied mechanical engineering at the trade school in Potsdam and the Berlin Trade Academy. Inspired by bird flight, he began experimenting with gliders, completing over 2,000 flights between 1891 and 1896. His designs and data had a major influence on the Wright brothers and other early aviation pioneers.
His book Der Vogelflug als Grundlage der Fliegekunst (1889; Bird Flight as the Basis of Aviation) became a key text in the study of aerodynamics. His public demonstrations drew international attention and helped shift flight from fantasy to scientific endeavor.
Lilienthal was fatally injured in a glider crash in 1896 and died the following day.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Otto Lilienthal
To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. To fly is everything.
—Otto Lilienthal
Topics: Flying
No one can realize how substantial the air is, until he feels its supporting power beneath him. It inspires confidence at once.
—Otto Lilienthal
Topics: Flying
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