Transport & space · 1853

Cayley's crewed glider

George Cayley's glider carries a man across a Yorkshire valley using a fixed wing.

Cayley identified lift, drag and thrust as separate forces in 1799 and defined the fixed-wing airplane layout. In 1853 his full-size glider carried his coachman across Brompton Dale. His principles guided every aviation pioneer who followed, including the Wright brothers.

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