bild

Otto Lilienthal and glider. Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) was a German aviation pioneer, who became known as the 'Glider King' for his many experiments with gliders. He made over 2000 flights from 1891, made several important advances in aviation theory, and managed controlled glides of tens of metres. He died in 1896, falling from a glider during a test flight and breaking his back. He died the next day, but his legacy would later inspire the work by the Wright Brothers on heavier-than-air flight. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/BILDAGENTUR-ONLINE/TSCHANZ/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)