Sir George Cayley

Sir George Cayley (1773–1857) was a pioneering British engineer and inventor, often called the "father of the airplane." He was the first to identify that fixed wings and a separate power source were essential for heavier-than-air flight. Cayley designed and built early gliders that demonstrated concepts like lift, stability, and control, laying the groundwork for modern aviation. His innovative ideas and experiments advanced understanding of aerodynamics, greatly influencing future aircraft development.