Name Paul Cornu | Role Engineer | |
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Died June 6, 1944, Lisieux, France Similar Henri Giffard, Ferdinand von Zeppelin, George Cayley | ||
CAP Arts de la reliure
Paul Cornu (June 15, 1881 – 6 June 1944) was a French engineer.
Contents
Cérémonie centième anniversaire de l'helicoptère
Career
French engineer Paul Cornu made history by designing the world's first successful manned rotary wing aircraft.
Cornu first built an unmanned experimental design powered by a 2 hp Buchet engine.
His manned helicopter was powered by a 24 horsepower (18 kW) Antoinette engine. He piloted this construction himself at Normandy, France on November 13, 1907. Previously, a French helicopter, the Breguet-Richet Gyroplane I, had managed to lift off under its own power, but it had been held in position by men standing on the ground. Cornu's performance was a considerable progress because his aircraft flew without additional support and lifted Cornu about 30 cm (1 ft) for 20 seconds . Unfortunately this early helicopter was scarcely maneuverable and had only a few additional flights. The construction was not much further developed by this technical pioneer, who had to keep on making a living by manufacturing bicycles.
Death
Paul Cornu died in 1944 in Lisieux -France, when his home was destroyed during the bombardment that accompanied the Landings.
