Paul Cornu

Paul Cornu (French pronunciation: ​[pɔl kɔʁny]; June 15, 1881 – 6 June 1944) was a French engineer.

French engineer Paul Cornu made history by designing the world's first successful manned rotary wing aircraft.

Cornu first built an unmanned experimental design powered by a 2 hp Buchet engine.

His manned helicopter was powered by a 24 horsepower (18 kW) Antoinette engine. He piloted this construction himself at Normandy, France on November 13, 1907. Previously, a French helicopter, the Breguet-Richet Gyroplane I, had managed to lift off under its own power, but it had been held in position by men standing on the ground. Cornu's performance was a considerable progress because his aircraft flew without additional support and lifted Cornu about 30 cm (1 ft) for 20 seconds . Unfortunately this early helicopter was scarcely maneuverable and had only a few additional flights. The construction was not much further developed by this technical pioneer, who had to keep on making a living by manufacturing bicycles.

Paul Cornu died in 1944 in Lisieux, France, when his home was destroyed during the bombardent by the Allies that accompanied the landings of WW2.

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