Gustave Whitehead
Possible first powered manned flight (1874-1927) · Germany · On the map · Scientists · Died at 53
Gustave Albin Whitehead was a German-American aviation pioneer. Between 1897 and 1915, he designed and built gliders, flying machines, and engines.
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A typical day, 30 days to 10 November 2026
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Photos 10
Gustave Whitehead with an early engine
Illustration published in the Bridgeport Herald
Junius Harworth said that as a boy he saw Whitehead fly on 14 August 1901.
The No. 21 aircraft. Whitehead sits beside it with daughter Rose in his lap; others in the photo are not identified. A pressure-type engine rests on the ground in front of the group.![Whitehead piloting his glider of 1903[31]](https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Whitehead_in_his_Glider_1.jpg/330px-Whitehead_in_his_Glider_1.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
Whitehead piloting his glider of 1903[31]
Whitehead's Albatros-type glider, c. 1905-1906
Whitehead and his Number 21 aircraftAbout this person
Controversy surrounds published accounts and Whitehead's own claims that he flew a powered machine successfully several times in 1901 and 1902, predating the first flights by the Wright brothers in 1903.
Country
Germany
Category
Scientists
Type
Scientist
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1874 to 1927 · aged 53
