Juan Delacierva

About

Pilot and engineer who developed the autogyro, a working predecessor to the airplane.

Before Fame

His early interest in aviation was spurred on by a national contest to develop military aircraft.

Trivia

His autogyros, which looked like planes with rotors, were widely used all over Europe.

Family Life

He grew up in Murcia, Spain.

Associated With

His engineering designs were further refined by Igor Sikorsky and became the first helicopters.