The History of Flight

In 1871, English engineer Francis Herbert Wenham built the first ever wind tunnel in order to test his designs. That same year, French engineer Alfons Penor successfully flew a craft that he designed around 40 meters. Otto Lilliental from Germany was the first person ever to be photographed flying in a heavier than aircraft. He became very famous for his work and photographs of what he was doing travelled far and wide. In 1896, American physicist Samuel Pieront Langley pulled off another successful sustained flight with an unpiloted engine driven by a heavier-than-air engine.