Transport & space · 1891

Lilienthal's gliders

Otto Lilienthal makes about 2,000 controlled glider flights and publishes the data.

From 1891 to 1896 Lilienthal flew hang gliders from a hill near Berlin, documenting lift and control. Photographs of his flights spread worldwide. His wing data and his death in a 1896 crash both convinced the Wright brothers that control was the key problem.

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