Henrich K.J. Focke

	Henrich K.J. Focke German Aviation Pioneer - Helicopter Designer
	Born in Bremen, Germany, on 8 October 1890, he had designed and constructed four powered airplanes and a glider by 1914. After World War I service, he was graduated from Hannover Technical Academy in mechanical engineering. In 1923, with Georg Wulf, he formed Focke-Wulf Aircraft Company and as Technical Director designed 35 different aircraft. In 1933 he set up his own research laboratory and left the Focke-Wulf Company. Turning his research and development efforts to helicopters, in 1936 he perfected the world's first successful free flight helicopter, the twin-rotored Fw-61. He then established the Focke-Achgelis Company and designed the Fa-223, history's first production helicopter and the first helicopter to fly the English Channel. His research and design efforts added greatly to helicopter development. Died Bremen, Germany, 25 February 1979.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1993