German engineer Otto Lilienthal represented a turning point in aviation history. He studied aerodynamics and worked to design a glider that would fly, and then demonstrated that the flight of an airplane could be controlled. He was fascinated by the idea of flight, and helped to prove that heavier-than-air flight was practical. Based on his studies of birds and how they flew, he wrote the book “Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation” published in 1889. This text was used by the Wright Brothers as the basis for their designs.

Earlier glider experimenters who had attempted to fly did not have full control when the machine was airborne. Lilienthal distinguished himself from the others by seeking to control the direction of the aircraft, making him the first pilot. He controlled his gliders by shifting his body weight to change its altitude, much the way a modern hang glider pilot does today. Working in conjunction with his brother, Gustav, he made over 2,000 flights in gliders of his design between 1891 and his death in a crash in 1896. His sacrifice laid the groundwork for those who would shortly invent powered flight.

The Lilienthal Glider in the Museum’s collection represents his glider #11 from 1896. This reproduction, once again, is the work of John Litchenburg, crafted from Lilienthal’s original drawings from the 1893-96 series. Great care was taken to assure that the appearance of the glider is just as it would have been over 100 years ago. The aircraft was completed in 1978.