For years people were fascinated with the idea of vertical flight. Da Vinci drew sketches and professors flew paper models, but it wasn't until the invention of the internal combustion engine that enough power could be found in a suitably small, light package for a machine to lift a man vertically.

Like so many inventions, the development of the modern helicopter happened in stages thanks to various people, but if there is one person who's name will always be connected to the production of a successful helicopter, it is Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky's test flight
Sikorsky, acting as his own test pilot.

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