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.
Paul Cornu died in 1944 in Lisieux -France, when his home was destroyed during the bombardment that accompanied the Landings of WW2.