Learn About Aviation Pioneer Otto Lilienthal

The contributions and ingenuity of aviation trailblazers such as Otto Lilienthal have greatly influenced the advancements in modern aviation. Lilienthal’s unwavering commitment to exploring flight and creating multiple aircraft has earned him the well-deserved title of “The Flying Man.” The countless individuals who have been inspired by Lilienthal’s groundbreaking achievements in aviation guarantee that his impact will always be remembered. Continue reading to discover more about Otto Lilienthal, an intriguing personality in the annals of aviation history and the brilliant mastermind behind early successful glider flights.

Who is Otto Lilienthal?

Otto Lilienthal’s upbringing was shaped by the middle-class background of his parents and the unfortunate deaths of five of his siblings. Despite these challenges, Lilienthal’s thirst for knowledge and his creative spirit defined his life. He was born on May 23, 1848, in Anklam, Pomerania Province, within the German monarchy of Prussia. He received his religious upbringing in the churches of St. Nicholas (Evangelical Lutheran) and St. Mary (Roman Catholic) in Anklam, Norway.

Lilienthal’s fascination with birds and their ability to fly was ever-present, and he and his brother Gustav spent countless hours studying them. They even attempted to construct wings that could be strapped on, but their efforts were unsuccessful. After completing his elementary education, Lilienthal spent two years at a regional technical school in Potsdam.

Following his schooling, Lilienthal gained practical experience as an intern at the Schwarzkopf Company, where he received training in design engineering. He then pursued further studies in engineering and design at the Royal Technical Academy in Berlin. Throughout his life, Lilienthal collaborated with his brother Gustav on various technical, social, and cultural endeavors.

In 1867, after finishing his studies, Otto Lilienthal began experimenting with aeronautics. However, his progress was interrupted by his involvement in the Franco-Prussian War. Upon returning to civilian life, he worked as a staff engineer for several engineering firms and even established his own company that manufactured boilers and steam engines. Additionally, he obtained his first patent for a mining machine.

In 1878, Lilienthal married Agnes Fischer, whom he met through their shared love for music. Otto played the French horn and had a tenor voice, while Agnes was trained in piano and voice. The couple welcomed four children—Otto, Anna, Fritz, and Frida—into the world in Berlin.

Lilienthal’s relentless pursuit of manned flight remained a driving force throughout his life. In 1889, he published “Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation,” a seminal work documenting his studies and experiments on the mechanics of bird flight and their potential application to human flight. This book became a cornerstone in the field of aviation, inspiring countless aviators and inventors in the years that followed.

Lilienthal in mid-flight, Berlin c. 1895

Contributions as a Pioneering Aviator

Lilienthal’s most significant contribution to aviation centered around his pioneering work in the field of heavier-than-air flight. He constructed an artificial hill near Berlin and utilized natural hills in the Rhinow region for nearly 2,000 flights using gliders of his own design. Collaborating with his brother Gustav, Lilienthal developed his initial glider model, known as the Derwitzer Glider, in 1891. He continued to refine and advance his designs until his unfortunate demise in a gliding accident in 1896.

One notable achievement of Lilienthal’s research and experimentation was granting a US patent in 1894 for a control bar used in the transportation and flight of hang gliders. Today, his A-frame design and Percy Pilcher’s contributions serve as the foundation for the control frame utilized in hang gliders and ultralight aircraft.

Lilienthal initiated his flight experiments in the spring of 1891 from a sand pit located on a hill between Derwitz and Krielow in Havelland, west of Potsdam. He then proceeded to conduct flights on an artificial hill near Berlin and, notably, in the Rhinow Hills. In 1891, Lilienthal achieved jumps and flights of approximately 25 meters (82 feet).

An impressive feat of Lilienthal’s was harnessing the updraft from a 10 m/s wind against a hill, allowing him to hover stationary with respect to the ground. During this moment, he communicated instructions to a photographer on the ground, guiding them to the optimal position for capturing a photograph. In the Rhinow Hills in 1893, Lilienthal achieved flight distances of up to 250 meters (820 feet), a record that stood unbroken until his tragic passing.

Lilienthal’s study of bird flight, particularly storks, and his use of polar diagrams to depict wing aerodynamics were also notable aspects of his work. He conducted numerous experiments to gather reliable aeronautical data, laying the groundwork for future aviators and inventors to build upon his findings and push the boundaries of human flight.

More Contributions and Patents 

Despite his relatively short career in aviation, Otto Lilienthal made significant contributions to the field. Throughout his flying endeavors, he designed various aircraft, including twelve monoplanes, wing-flapping machines, and two biplanes. Lilienthal’s gliders were carefully constructed to achieve optimal weight distribution, aiming for the smoothest possible flight experience.

Similar to modern hang gliders, Lilienthal controlled his gliders by manipulating his body’s center of gravity. However, maneuvering them proved challenging, as they had a tendency to pitch downward, making recovery difficult. One limiting factor was that Lilienthal held the glider by his shoulders, restricting the extent of weight shifting he could achieve.

Despite these obstacles, Lilienthal tirelessly pursued stability enhancements. He invented a biplane design that reduced the wing span while maintaining a given wing area, and he devised a hinged tailplane that could rise upward to facilitate smoother landings at the end of flights. Additionally, he explored the idea that flapping wings, akin to those of birds, might be necessary for a successful flight, and he began working on a motorized aircraft equipped with flapping wings.

Apart from his contributions to aviation, Lilienthal was also an inventor. He developed a miniature engine that operated using a system of tubular boilers. This invention provided him with the financial freedom to focus on his aviation pursuits. It wasn’t until his brother Gustav’s return from Australia in 1885 that Lilienthal delved into the realm of flight.

Over the course of his career, Lilienthal secured 25 patents for various inventions, encompassing hang glider design and steam engine technology. In 1894, he filed a US patent specifying the use of a “bar” for carrying and maneuvering the hang glider, a concept that remains integral to control frames in modern hang gliders and ultralight aircraft.

Lilienthal glider models

Gliding Experiments

In the spring of 1891, Otto Lilienthal initiated his initial gliding experiments on a hill called “Spitzer Berg,” located west of Potsdam near the settlements of Krielow and Derwitz. Employing a glider of his own design and construction, Lilienthal soared through the air while clutching onto the frame. The glider, boasting a wingspan of 4.7 meters (15 feet 5 inches), was crafted from bamboo and linen. Remarkably light, it weighed a mere 20 kilograms (44 pounds).

In 1892, Lilienthal relocated his gliding operations to the “Maihöhe” hill formation in Steglitz, Berlin. There, he erected a shed fashioned as a tower, standing at a height of 4 meters (13 feet). This structure served as a launch platform for his gliders and also served as storage for his equipment.

The year 1893 witnessed Lilienthal commencing his gliding experiments in the “Rhinower Berge,” specifically at the “Hauptmannsberg” in Rhinow, roughly 100 kilometers northwest of Berlin. The Rhinower Berge presented Lilienthal with more challenging wind conditions, intensifying the environment for testing his gliders.

In 1894, Lilienthal constructed an artificial hill near his residence in Lichterfelde, naming it the Fliegeberg or “Fly Hill.” The conical-shaped hill stood at a height of 15 meters (49 feet) and was covered in sand. Utilizing the slope, Lilienthal launched his gliders into the wind, regardless of its direction. His gliding experiments drew a constant gathering of curious onlookers.

Subsequently, in 1896, Lilienthal relocated his gliding endeavors to the Gollenberg in Stölln, situated approximately 120 kilometers northwest of Berlin. The Gollenberg featured a taller and steeper hill, presenting Lilienthal with more challenging conditions for testing his gliders.

Sadly, following Lilienthal’s untimely death in a glider accident in 1896, the Fliegeberg was abandoned and fell into a state of disrepair. 

However, in 1932, Berlin architect Fritz Freymüller transformed the hill into a memorial dedicated to Lilienthal. Atop the hill, he constructed a modest temple-like structure adorned with pillars supporting a gently sloping spherical roof. Within the structure, a silver globe was engraved with details commemorating famous flights. On August 10, 1932, Gustav Lilienthal, Otto’s brother, alongside his former mechanic and assistant Paul Baylich, attended the unveiling ceremony.

Otto Lilienthal’s Legacy

Otto Lilienthal’s contributions to aviation were recognized. His work influenced the Wright brothers, who went on to conduct their own study and finally accomplish powered flight. Indeed, the Wright brothers thoroughly researched Lilienthal’s work and recognized him as a primary inspiration for their earliest tests in 1899.

Lilienthal’s legacy was also honored with various posthumous awards. Before its closing in 2020, Berlin Tegel Airport was renamed “Otto Lilienthal” Airport in his honor. Orville Wright paid a visit to Lilienthal’s widow in Germany in September 1909, paying tribute to Lilienthal’s effect on flying and their own efforts. Lilienthal was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 1972, and in 2013, he was named No. 19 on Flying magazine’s list of the “51 Heroes of Aviation.”

The Lilium Jet, a German prototype electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and the business that created it, Lilium GmbH, are likewise named after Lilienthal. In addition, the German Air Force christened an Airbus A310 MRTT tanker aircraft, “Otto Lilienthal,” in his honor.

Lilienthal’s work has been reviewed in recent years, and his gliders have been reproduced and analyzed in the wind tunnel and flying tests by the German Aerospace Center. The findings indicated that Lilienthal’s gliders were pitch and roll stable and could be flown safely at moderate altitudes. 

Bronze plaque medal of Stölln

Otto Lilienthal’s outstanding contributions to aviation have left an indelible imprint on the field. His unwavering pursuit of flying, as well as his pioneering experiments with gliders, set the groundwork for modern aviation and inspired future inventors and aviators. Honors, recognitions, and ongoing study continue to delve into Lilienthal’s creative designs and profound understanding of aerodynamics. His undying enthusiasm for flight and vital accomplishments have indelibly imprinted his name in aviation history, cementing his legacy as a real visionary and pioneer. Much like Otto’s passion for flight, the determination and courage that propelled Amelia Earhart to make her historic solo flight across the Atlantic is a story worth exploring. Discover the inspiring journey of Amelia Earhart in our intriguing post.