Story :
In these talks, we have often stressed the value of patience in developing new things because, as a rule, it takes a long time for an idea to grow up. Today, we have an outstanding example of this from the career of a young Russian who over 40 years ago started experiments in aviation which are just now coming into use.
Fifty-five years ago, Igor Sikorsky was born in Kiev, in Southern Russia. Igor grew up in a scientific atmosphere - his father was a professor of psychology and his mother was educated in medicine. His mother greatly admired Leonardo da Vinci and often told her son of the many accomplishments of the great artist, but da Vinci's flying machine designs made an indelible impression on the boy's mind, even though they were made 400 years before.
With this background, it was only natural that in 1908, when he read about the Wright brothers, he resolved to make flying his career, so he began to collect all the information he could find on the subject. He remembered da Vinci's helicopter sketch, and this may have influenced him to work on a machine that would rise vertically.
After reading everything available, he realized he had to do more - he would have to learn first hand about engines and airplanes - he would have to practice, work and practice. So in January 1909, with the financial aid of his sister, he went to Paris where they were experimenting with airplanes. He spent months at the flying fields talking to the experts, particularly Captain Ferber who offered him the following advice: "Don't waste your time on the helicopter - the airplane will be far more valuable." Another expert published an article on the helicopter entitled "The Wrong Way."
But young Sikorsky returned to Kiev with a lot of information, an engine, and a firm determination to build one. In the next two months he built an experimental machine, then the tests and real troubles began. The helicopter frame resembled a large rectangular box - the engine was on one side, the operator on the other. Many detail troubles were encountered and fixed, then the real difficulty showed up - the engine was too small. So he made a second design. A year later the new machine was completed - it would lift itself but not the operator - there were still many problems to be solved.
In the meantime, he also designed and built an airplane. This was ready for test in April, 1910, and although he had never flown a plane before, without hesitation he climbed into the pilot's seat and opened throttle. But he could get into the air only a few feet. Again it was a question of power. He was getting both practice and experience.
Both the helicopter and airplane furnished valuable scientific information but he had to choose now which one he would develop; and as the airplane seemed to offer greater possibilities at the time, he discontinued his helicopter experiments.
Sikorsky built a second airplane, adding more power, and on June 3, 1910 made his first successful flight. His practice was bearing fruit. New models followed - each larger and more powerful, until in 1913, he was ready to fly his latest - a four-engined ship weighing 9000 pounds called the "Grand."
Before the flight, some said that the plane was too heavy to rise from the ground. Others were sure that the plane was too large to be controlled. But regardless of these warnings, a successful trial flight was made. In 1931, after coming to America, he was still in favor of four-engined ships and launched the S-40, the first of the Clipper ships for ocean travel.
But in 1938 his thoughts turned again to the helicopter, for he realized, as is so often the case, his ideas of 1910 were far ahead of the materials and engineering possibilities of that time. Now things seemed to have caught up with the ideas and, in addition, many new developments had come into aviation. So he built the weird looking machine designated the VS-300. The old process began again - experiment, rebuild and adjust. Practice and more practice!
We all have seen some of the results - helicopters landing on shipboard and on water - others landing in a yard, backing and going straight up. The sketch of da Vinci's vitalized by Sikorsky and many others is just now beginning to materialize. We know it may still be a long time before helicopters will be in our back yards, because experience has taught us that much development work is yet ahead - development that must take place after you and I become actual customers.
Fifty-five years ago, Igor Sikorsky was born in Kiev, in Southern Russia. Igor grew up in a scientific atmosphere - his father was a professor of psychology and his mother was educated in medicine. His mother greatly admired Leonardo da Vinci and often told her son of the many accomplishments of the great artist, but da Vinci's flying machine designs made an indelible impression on the boy's mind, even though they were made 400 years before.
With this background, it was only natural that in 1908, when he read about the Wright brothers, he resolved to make flying his career, so he began to collect all the information he could find on the subject. He remembered da Vinci's helicopter sketch, and this may have influenced him to work on a machine that would rise vertically.
After reading everything available, he realized he had to do more - he would have to learn first hand about engines and airplanes - he would have to practice, work and practice. So in January 1909, with the financial aid of his sister, he went to Paris where they were experimenting with airplanes. He spent months at the flying fields talking to the experts, particularly Captain Ferber who offered him the following advice: "Don't waste your time on the helicopter - the airplane will be far more valuable." Another expert published an article on the helicopter entitled "The Wrong Way."
But young Sikorsky returned to Kiev with a lot of information, an engine, and a firm determination to build one. In the next two months he built an experimental machine, then the tests and real troubles began. The helicopter frame resembled a large rectangular box - the engine was on one side, the operator on the other. Many detail troubles were encountered and fixed, then the real difficulty showed up - the engine was too small. So he made a second design. A year later the new machine was completed - it would lift itself but not the operator - there were still many problems to be solved.
In the meantime, he also designed and built an airplane. This was ready for test in April, 1910, and although he had never flown a plane before, without hesitation he climbed into the pilot's seat and opened throttle. But he could get into the air only a few feet. Again it was a question of power. He was getting both practice and experience.
Both the helicopter and airplane furnished valuable scientific information but he had to choose now which one he would develop; and as the airplane seemed to offer greater possibilities at the time, he discontinued his helicopter experiments.
Sikorsky built a second airplane, adding more power, and on June 3, 1910 made his first successful flight. His practice was bearing fruit. New models followed - each larger and more powerful, until in 1913, he was ready to fly his latest - a four-engined ship weighing 9000 pounds called the "Grand."
Before the flight, some said that the plane was too heavy to rise from the ground. Others were sure that the plane was too large to be controlled. But regardless of these warnings, a successful trial flight was made. In 1931, after coming to America, he was still in favor of four-engined ships and launched the S-40, the first of the Clipper ships for ocean travel.
But in 1938 his thoughts turned again to the helicopter, for he realized, as is so often the case, his ideas of 1910 were far ahead of the materials and engineering possibilities of that time. Now things seemed to have caught up with the ideas and, in addition, many new developments had come into aviation. So he built the weird looking machine designated the VS-300. The old process began again - experiment, rebuild and adjust. Practice and more practice!
We all have seen some of the results - helicopters landing on shipboard and on water - others landing in a yard, backing and going straight up. The sketch of da Vinci's vitalized by Sikorsky and many others is just now beginning to materialize. We know it may still be a long time before helicopters will be in our back yards, because experience has taught us that much development work is yet ahead - development that must take place after you and I become actual customers.
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