Pilots, Planes and Pioneers

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hile the Wright brothers may have been the first to make a sustained, controlled flight, they were just two among hundreds of brave men and women who helped to give the world its wings during the earliest days of aviation. Their Flyer was but one of many historically important aircraft. Below are brief descriptions and photos of some of the most important people and planes, and where available resources and links where you can find more information. In some cases, contributors have supplied expanded histories and biographies. Those are listed at the right and linked below.

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Karl Jatho made some short hops in a unique airplane near Hanover, Germany a few months before the Wright brothers first powered flights. It was a triplane at first, but after the first few attempts at flight, Jatho removed one wing to make it a biplane. The design for the wings of the airplane were inspired by the Zanonia seed, an Asian vine (a member of the cucumber family) whose seeds make stable glides for long distances. Unfortunately, these flat surfaces don't produce a great deal of lift and Jatho's 10 hp Buchet motor could not sustain the aircraft in flight for more than 200 feet (60 meters). Additionally, his control was inadequate and Jatho by his own admission was unhappy with the performance of the machine. He did manage to build a successful airplane in 1909.

Karl Jatho.

Jatho's aircraft was among the first "flying wings."

The Zanonia seed continued to fascinate aeronautical engineers and later inspired many successful airplanes such as the WWI Taube and the Stealth Bomber.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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"Aviation is proof that – given the will – we can do the impossible."
 Eddie Rickenbacker

 

 

A History of the Airplane/Pilots, Planes and Pioneers J

Biographies of Aviation Pioneers

 

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