{"id":1820,"date":"2024-04-16T09:10:52","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T09:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/?p=1820"},"modified":"2024-04-16T09:10:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T09:10:52","slug":"when-were-helicopters-invented","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/when-were-helicopters-invented\/","title":{"rendered":"When Were Helicopters Invented? The History Of Helicopters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Have you ever gazed at those helicopters soaring through the sky and wondered how they came to life? Who invented the helicopter? You might not know this, but they have gone through a many-century-long journey from their infancy to their full-fledged appearance today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s walk through each chapter of their revolution!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h6><strong>In this article:<\/strong><\/h6><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#who-made-the-first-helicopter-and-when\">Who Made The First Helicopter And When?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#a-brief-history-of-helicopter-development\">A Brief History Of Helicopter Development<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-made-the-first-helicopter-and-when\"><strong>Who Made The First Helicopter And When?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Paul Cornu<\/strong>, known as the founder of helicopters, successfully designed the very first model in <strong>1907<\/strong>. While there were earlier inventions, this French pilot created the first human-carried model capable of taking off approximately 1 foot above the ground for around 20 seconds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1017\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-1.jpg\" alt=\"Paul Cornu\" class=\"wp-image-1925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-1.jpg 1017w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-1-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1017px) 100vw, 1017px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Paul Cornu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>His aircraft was inspired by Giffard&#8217;s design, but he replaced the bulky propeller with twin contra-rotating rotors. As a result, this invention featured a distinctive configuration: two rotary rotors rotating in opposite directions at the front and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, other inventors and their inventions have also contributed to the development of modern helicopters. For example, Etienne Oehmichen gave birth to the first helicopter that could carry two passengers, while Igor Sikorsky was the father of the first mass-produced model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-brief-history-of-helicopter-development\"><strong>A Brief History Of Helicopter Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Milestones-history-helicopter-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"Milestones-history-helicopter\" class=\"wp-image-1920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Milestones-history-helicopter-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Milestones-history-helicopter-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Milestones-history-helicopter-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Milestones-history-helicopter.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"early-traces\"><strong>Early Traces<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is surprising that the idea of helicopters can be traced back to the 12th century. Their rotating rotors were inspired by the &#8220;flying top&#8221; toy from China, which consisted of spinning bamboo blades on top with feathers attached to them. By pulling a rope, the toy would rotate and briefly ascend into the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1483, Leonardo da Vinci came up with a sketch for a device called the &#8220;aerial screw.&#8221; His design was not put into practice, but the idea had planted a seed in the minds of inventors at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 300 years later, Launoy and Bienvenu brought da Vinci&#8217;s idea to life. Their experiment was constructed from simple materials, including a cork, bird feathers, and some wire. This small model proved the concept of vertical flight, paving the way for subsequent advancements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This science demonstration set the stage for the first steam-powered helicopter &#8211; designed by Henri Giffard in 1841. Though not mass-produced, Giffard\u2019s design was a sign that powered helicopters weren\u2019t just a fantasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1843, another inventor, Sir George Cayley, also experimented with a new idea. His creation utilized a complex system of weights and pulleys to turn the rotors. Unfortunately, this intricate design failed to go into production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only two decades later, Etienne Oehmichen created &#8220;Oehmichen No. 2&#8221;, widely regarded as the world&#8217;s first successful engine-powered helicopter. Also running on a steamed-powered engine like the Giffard helicopter, this <a href=\"\/types-of-military-helicopters\">model could fly<\/a> as high as 10 feet and remain airborne for 1 minute.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pioneering-experiments\"><strong>Pioneering Experiments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not until the 1900s was there a breakthrough in the rotorcraft industry. In September 1907, Louis and Jacques Breguet, two French inventors, made a short vertical flight with their human-carrying helicopter. Powered by a 45-horsepower engine, their invention featured four sets of rotors and a unique spiderweb-like frame. Under the supervision of aviation pioneer Charles Richet, their creation\u2014Gyroplane No. 1\u2014successfully lifted a person to a height of 2 feet for a short period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Louis-and-Jacques-Breguet-helicopter-in-1907.jpg\" alt=\"Louis and Jacques Breguet helicopter in 1907\" class=\"wp-image-1919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Louis-and-Jacques-Breguet-helicopter-in-1907.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Louis-and-Jacques-Breguet-helicopter-in-1907-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Louis and Jacques Breguet, two French inventors, made a short vertical flight with their human-carrying helicopter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, in November of the same year, their compatriot Paul Cornu introduced his self-designed helicopter powered by a 24-horsepower engine. It could soar 1 foot above the ground and stay in the air for 20 seconds. Instead of a single propeller, he incorporated a pair that worked on the principle of counter-rotation. Though this version struggled to maintain stability, it marked an important milestone in the aviation industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-helicopter.jpg\" alt=\"Paul Cornu helicopter\" class=\"wp-image-1921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-helicopter.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-helicopter-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Paul-Cornu-helicopter-768x487.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1916, Istv\u00e1n Petr\u00f3czy and Theodore von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n had another groundbreaking invention. Their machine, known as the &#8220;Petr\u00f3czy-K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Gyroplane,&#8221; remained airborne for 15 minutes at 3,000 feet. Their design retained two large propellers but increased <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/the-engine\/\">the engine<\/a> power to 50 horsepower. The most interesting detail was the operator&#8217;s seat above the propellers, resembling a crow&#8217;s nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"728\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/In-1916-Istvan-Petroczy-and-Theodore-von-Karman-1024x728.jpg\" alt=\"Petr\u00f3czy-K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Gyroplane\" class=\"wp-image-1918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/In-1916-Istvan-Petroczy-and-Theodore-von-Karman-1024x728.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/In-1916-Istvan-Petroczy-and-Theodore-von-Karman-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/In-1916-Istvan-Petroczy-and-Theodore-von-Karman-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/In-1916-Istvan-Petroczy-and-Theodore-von-Karman.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"taking-flights\"><strong>Taking Flights<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 20th century witnessed the golden era of the rotorcraft industry, leaning towards the perfect helicopters these days. In 1912, Jacob Ellehammer introduced the concept of cyclic pitch control. In 1924, Ra\u00fal Pateras Pescara set a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/how-high-can-a-helicopter-fly\/\">record for vertical flying<\/a> distance of 2,415 feet. In the same year, \u00c9tienne Oehmichen made a name for himself by flying a 1-kilometer circle, breaking a new record regarding flying distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"862\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1924-Raul-Pateras-Pescara-set-a-new-record-for-vertical-flying-distance-1024x862.jpg\" alt=\"1924, Ra\u00fal Pateras Pescara set a new record for vertical flying distance\" class=\"wp-image-1914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1924-Raul-Pateras-Pescara-set-a-new-record-for-vertical-flying-distance-1024x862.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1924-Raul-Pateras-Pescara-set-a-new-record-for-vertical-flying-distance-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1924-Raul-Pateras-Pescara-set-a-new-record-for-vertical-flying-distance-768x646.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/1924-Raul-Pateras-Pescara-set-a-new-record-for-vertical-flying-distance.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In 1924, Ra\u00fal Pateras Pescara set a new record for vertical flying distance of 2,415 feet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During this period, a parallel trend emerged with the advent of autogiros. Distinguished from the working principles of traditional helicopters, these machines relied on mechanical rotation. This setup proved the advantage of faster take-offs through the success of Juan de la Cierva&#8217;s autogiros. Undoubtedly, its rotor technology laid the foundation for a new era of true helicopter designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1936, Heinrich Focke propelled Germany to the forefront of the helicopter development race with his groundbreaking invention. His machine, &#8220;Focke-Achgelis Fa 61,&#8221; came with remarkable features, including a sealed cabin and a torque-free 160-horsepower radial engine. It accomplished a cross-country flight of 143 miles at 11,243 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Heinrich-Focke-helicopter.jpg\" alt=\"Heinrich Focke helicopter\" class=\"wp-image-1916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Heinrich-Focke-helicopter.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Heinrich-Focke-helicopter-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Focke-Achgelis Fa 61<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Igor Sikorsky also conducted important aeronautical experiments in the United States. In 1939, he created the twin-engine Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 that could stay aloft for up to 30&nbsp; minutes. This small aircraft resembled modern-day models despite its limited power and subpar handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/VS-300-helicopter-1024x736.jpg\" alt=\"VS-300 helicopter\" class=\"wp-image-1924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/VS-300-helicopter-1024x736.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/VS-300-helicopter-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/VS-300-helicopter-768x552.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/VS-300-helicopter.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-advancements\"><strong>The Advancements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Igor Sikorsky continued his visionary work and achieved greater success in 1942. &#8220;The Sikorsky XR-4&#8221; came into the public eye as the most advanced helicopter of its time. This cutting-edge aircraft surpassed all others on the market in terms of performance, speed, and altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"665\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sikorsky-XR-4.jpg\" alt=\"Sikorsky XR-4\" class=\"wp-image-1923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sikorsky-XR-4.jpg 665w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Sikorsky-XR-4-300x115.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 665px) 100vw, 665px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When World War II broke out, helicopters were increasingly adopted worldwide. The greater demand fueled competition, attracting numerous young manufacturers to enter the game. Governments authorized these companies to produce specialized models, such as the &#8220;Hoverfly&#8221; for rescue missions or the &#8220;YH-13 Sioux&#8221; for medical evacuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The market was flooded with numerous advanced aircraft in the following years. In 1947, the Bell Aircraft Corporation launched the Bell Model 47. It applied the innovative concept of turbine-powered engine, reaching 100 mph in speed. It gained popularity worldwide and became the first choice for civilian use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"595\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Bell-Model-47-1947.jpg\" alt=\"Bell Model 47 1947\" class=\"wp-image-1915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Bell-Model-47-1947.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Bell-Model-47-1947-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Bell-Model-47-1947-768x508.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the same year, Sikorsky Aircraft launched the &#8220;S-51&#8221; &#8211; the first mass-produced model. In 1951, Kaman Aircraft Corporation had incorporated jet engine technology into their HTK-1 models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/HTK-1-models.jpg\" alt=\"HTK-1 models\" class=\"wp-image-1917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/HTK-1-models.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/HTK-1-models-300x230.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Helicopters continued to evolve over the following decades. In the 1970s, turbine engines were utilized in production, exemplified by the Bell UH-1 &#8220;Iroquois&#8221; or &#8220;Huey.&#8221; During the 1990s, helicopter design and technology were undergoing a revolution, and many helicopters were built for different purposes, like civilian use, law enforcement, aerial photography, and air taxi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the 2000s, more advanced helicopters have been used for medical emergencies, military, and civil aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>See more:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/types-of-military-helicopters\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/types-of-military-helicopters\/\">8 Different Types Of Military Helicopters In The Army<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/biggest-helicopter-in-the-world\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/biggest-helicopter-in-the-world\/\">Top 10 Biggest Military Helicopters In The World<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/how-fast-do-helicopters-fly\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1263\">How Fast Do Helicopters Fly<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/how-high-can-a-helicopter-fly\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1265\">How High Can A Helicopter Fly<br><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Helicopters are not an overnight invention; they\u2019ve gone through numerous advancements before evolving into a universal means of transportation in modern days. One of the earliest milestones was the creation of Paul Cornu in 1907. However, helicopters still have a long journey ahead that we must pay attention to.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you ever gazed at those helicopters soaring through the sky and wondered how they came to life? Who invented the helicopter? You might not know this, but they have gone through a many-century-long journey from their infancy to their full-fledged appearance today.&nbsp; Let\u2019s walk through each chapter of their revolution! Who Made The First &#8230; <a title=\"When Were Helicopters Invented? The History Of Helicopters\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/when-were-helicopters-invented\/\" aria-label=\"More on When Were Helicopters Invented? The History Of Helicopters\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1820"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1967,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820\/revisions\/1967"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wrightexperience.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}