Otto Lilienthal

	OTTO LILIENTHAL 19th Century Aeronautical Experimentalist
	Born Anklam, Prussia, May 28, 1848. Inspired by the earlier works of Cayley, studied the flight of birds and aeronautical theory throughout his life. Produced his first successful glider in 1891. It weighed 40 pounds, was constructed of willow wands, waxed cloth and wire. He flew more than 2,000 over the next four years. Lilienthal experimented with powered flight utilizina a carbonic gas motor. Before he could test-fly this creation he was fatally injured in one of his early gliders on August 6, 1896. His experimentations, published in treatise "The Carrying Capability of Arched Surfaces in Sailing Flight", inspired the Wright Brothers and other aero pioneers.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1972