When Was the First Helicopter Invented?
The history of helicopter innovation dates back to the late 15th century, with pioneers like Leonardo da Vinci sketching concepts of vertical lift aircraft. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the first practical helicopter was designed and built. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the evolution of helicopters and uncover the answers to the question: when was the first helicopter invented?
Early Concepts and Ideas
Throughout history, various inventors and visionaries have conceived of concepts that would later become the basis for helicopter design. Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most notable, as he created detailed sketches of machines with rotating blades that could generate lift.
The First Heli-like Concept
- 1804: The first patent for a rotating-wing aircraft was granted to Giovanni Battista Guzmán in Austria.
- 1861: Leonardo da Vinci’s designs were refined and rebuilt in the mid-19th century.
- 1870: Dubreuil de Sacarelles constructed a toy-sized helicopter model with four rotor blades, but it did not have enough lift to sustain flight.
Early Experimental Period
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, experimental helicopters emerged. These prototypes often resembled contraptions, and some were functional, while others were just theoretical. Key milestones from this era include:
- 1896: Paul Lausseault and Henri Fabre built separate, manually-powered helicopters. Fabre’s design is often considered the first manned, rotored aircraft.
- 1907: Poulsen, Jensen & Lind launched a 24-meter diameter rotor test.
- 1923: Sir Alan Cobham began experimenting with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) designs.
Breaking Ground and Patents
In the mid-1920s to the mid-1940s, several crucial events and designs propelled helicopter innovation forward. Notable highlights include:
- 1930s: Franz Schweyer, Sauter-Franceschetti, and Finnish engineers developed promising rotor concepts.
- 1931: Franz Anton Piasecki and Saucier Engineering Co. received U.S. Patent No. 1,900,001 for an "Improvement in Automobile Propulsion and Control Devices."
- 1937: Jacques Schneiber, a French inventor, built an electric helicopter.
- 1938: Hughes Helicopters’ prototype (Hughes Model 1) with a tail rotor was launched.
Modern Era
The development of modern helicopter design, which we consider today’s "first practical helicopter," occurred in the mid-20th century. Some notable milestones in this period include:
- 1939: Igor Sikorsky demonstrated his VS-300 (also known as the VS-300-X) rotor prototype.
- 1941: Sikorsky created the world’s first successful single-engine, single-rotor helicopter.
- 1942: The Lockheed VR-1 Sea Dart flew, making it the first VTOL aircraft capable of carrying personnel.
- 1949: The first commercial helicopters were developed.
Breaking Down Barriers
Before the creation of the practical helicopter, engineers faced various challenges. They needed to:
• Develop a control system capable of stabilizing the helicopter’s rotation.
• Build stronger, more durable rotors.
• Overcome vibrations and ensure smooth rotation.
Helicopter Invention Timeline:
| Year | Inventor/Team | Description | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1450s | Leonardo da Vinci | Sketched helicopters with rotating blades | Inspiration and design |
| 1804 | Giovanni Battista Guzmán | Patented first heli-like concept | First known design concept |
| 1861 | Leonardo da Vinci (rebuilt by others) | Refine and rebuild helicopter designs | Inspiration and innovation |
| 1870 | Dubreuil de Sacarelles | Constructed a toy-sized helicopter model | Early prototype attempt |
| 1896 | Paul Lausseault | Built manually-powered helicopter | First manned rotor aircraft |
| 1923 | Sir Alan Cobham | Began experimenting with VTOL designs | VTOL concept explored |
| 1931 | Franz Anton Piasecki | Filed U.S. Patent for rotor concepts | Rotor design patented |
| 1938 | Hughes Helicopters (Hughes Model 1) | Built the first tail rotor prototype | Improved rotor control |
| 1940s | Igor Sikorsky | Created the world’s first single-engine helicopter | Modern rotor design born |
| 1941 | Igor Sikorsky | Successfully flew the first single-engine rotor helicopter | Practical design breakthrough |
| 1942 | Lockheed VR-1 Sea Dart | Demonstrated VTOL capabilities | Commercial VTOL success |
The first helicopter was indeed invented when Igor Sikorsky designed and flew the VS-300 rotor prototype in 1939, marking a significant turning point in aeronautical engineering. Despite numerous preceding prototypes and early designs, the practical development of a stable, flyable, and commercially viable helicopter finally materialized through Sikorsky’s breakthroughs. Today, we recognize September 14, 1939, as the official "birthday" of the helicopter.
