1907 First Helicopter Flies

On November 13, 1907, French engineer and inventor Paul Cornu achieved a historic milestone in aviation by conducting the first successful flight of a helicopter. Cornu’s rudimentary flying machine managed to lift off the ground for about twenty seconds, reaching an altitude of five feet. Although brief, this achievement marked a groundbreaking moment in the development of vertical flight, a concept that had long intrigued inventors and visionaries.

Cornu’s helicopter was powered by a 24-horsepower Antoinette engine and featured a twin-rotor design, with the rotors spinning in opposite directions to counteract torque—a fundamental principle still used in helicopter engineering today. Despite its innovative approach, the machine faced significant challenges. It suffered from severe stability and control issues, making sustained flight nearly impossible. Additionally, the lack of advanced materials and aerodynamic knowledge at the time limited the helicopter’s capabilities.

While Cornu’s flight did not lead directly to practical applications of helicopters, it laid the groundwork for future advancements. His achievement demonstrated the feasibility of vertical lift, inspiring subsequent inventors to refine the concept. Over the next several decades, engineers like Igor Sikorsky would build on Cornu’s early work, overcoming the technical challenges that plagued his machine and eventually creating helicopters capable of controlled and sustained flight.