| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
His first flight took place on August 14 1901 in Connecticut when he flew his Number 21 three times, as reported by the Bridgeport Herald , the New York Herald and the Boston Transcript . The longest flight was 2.5km (1.5 miles) at a height of up to 60m (200ft): significantly better than the Wright brothers two years and four months later.
There are witness reports that he flew about 1km (half a mile) as early as 1899. In January 1902 he flew 10km (7 miles) over the Long Island strait in the improved Number 22 .
It has been suggested that the reason his flights are so little known is that he was of German origin and that the Wright brothers donated their Wright flyer to the Smithsonian Institute on condition the institute did not recognize an earlier aeroplane.
Both Number 21 and Number 22 were monoplanes, the first powered by a 20hp (15kW) engine and the latter with a 40hp (30kW) engine. The engine accelerated the front wheels up to take-off speed and then the power was switched to the propeller. This meant he didn't have to use a catapult like the Wright brothers.
Roll was controlled by the pilot shifting his weight, much as on a glider. Pitch was controlled by a tail wing, and yaw was controlled by altering the thrust on each of the two propellers.
In 19851985 is a common year starting on Tuesday. Events January events January 1 Creation of the Internet's Domain Name System. January 17 British Telecom annouces they are going to abolish the famous red telephone boxes. January 23 A debate in the House of Lor some US enthusiasts began to construct a replica of Whitehead's machine. On December 29December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 2 days remaining. Events 1170 St Thomas Becket, is slain in his own cathedral on orders from Henry II of England. 1813 War of 1812: British soldiers burn Buffal, 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa Andrew Kosch made 20 flights and reached a maximum distance of 100 meters (330 feet). On February 18February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 316 days remaining (317 in leap years). Events 3102 BC Epoch (origin) of the Kali Yuga. 1478 George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of, 19981998 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar), and was designated the International Year of the Ocean''. Events January January 1998 A massive ice storm, caused by El Nino, strikes New England, southern Ontario and Quebec, resulting a German replica flew distances up to 500 meters.
The Wright brothers visited Whitehead to discuss the purchase of one of his engines and exchanged ideas and discoveries regarding flight.