Sir George Cayley, the father of aeronautics. Part 1. The invention of the aeroplane

Abstract

This paper, in two parts, seeks to describe and assess Cayley's technical development of his invention, the fixed–wing aeroplane. Particular attention is paid to such scientific results as were known to Cayley at that time. Part 1 deals with the invention of the aeroplane itself, this being prefaced by a biographical sketch outlining his wide–ranging interests, both scientific and humanitarian; part 2 will show how Cayley was not only able to develop his invention but through this was also able to demonstrate many of the basic principles of fixed–wing flight. The paper is based on the author's Cayley Lecture to the Royal Aeronautical Society in April 2000.