Alec Beckelman 09/15/2015
The History of Helicopters
The History of aerospace technology has many major engineering achievements that helped shape where the technology is today, this project will show how each achievement helped contribute to the technology that we have and use today.
Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine (1488).
Igor Sikorsky's VS-300 (1939).
Igor Sikorsky's XR-4 the first Military helicopter (1940)
Arthur Young's Bell Model 47 (1946).
Igor Sikorsky S-62 landing on water (example of his boat hull helicopter design) (1958 design)
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1. When and where was the aerospace invention invented and further developed?
1a. On September 14th, 1939 the first practical Helicopter took flight in Stratford Connecticut. 2. Who were the people that made significant contributions to the original invention and the development of the technology? How did they work, individually, in teams, or with other countries? 2a. The VS-300 was designed by Igor Sikorsky and was built by the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation. 3. What advantages does this invention offer compared to other forms of flight? 3a. The 3 blade rotor and tail rotor offered for variable pitch and had a blade speed of 250-300mph. It also is a direct lift aircraft which allows the vehicle to lift of the ground quickly on start. Helicopters can also fly forwards, backwards, up and down, where as an airplane can not. 4. What are the disadvantages of this invention compared to other forms of flight? 4a. Helicopters cannot hold as many passengers as an airplane, nor can a helicopter keep up with the speed of an airplane. Another issue with the helicopter is that air pockets will effect the helicopter much more severely than an airplane because the helicopter is much lighter. 5. How has the invention changed since it was first introduced? 5a. Stanley Hiller Jr. made the first helicopter with full metal stiff rotors in 1944, this allowed the helicopter to fly at much faster speeds than before. 6. How, shown through a timeline, has the invention changed from its original form to its present form? 6a. 1488- Leonardo da Vinci drew his flying machine, this was the first concept of a Helicopter created. 1939- Igor Sikorsky created the first functional helicopter the VS-300. 1940-Igor Sikorsky created the first Military helicopter for the US Army, the XR-4. 1944- Stanley Hiller made the first helicopter with stiff metal rotorblades to increase the speed of the helicopter. 1946- Arthur Young created the Bell Model 47, which had a full bubble canopy. 1958- Igor Sikorsky created the first helicopter that could land and takeoff on water because of the boat hull on the helicopter. 7. How, using photos and drawings, has the invention evolved? 7a. From Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine to the modern day helicopters 8. Through your own prediction, how do you think the invention may change in the future? 8a. In the future I believe that personal helicopters is an option, using the "highway in the sky" so to say to travel around as well as cars to keep the ever growing population a form of quick transportation. Conclusion Questions; 1. Based upon the research about the aerospace invention you selected, what was the most surprising aspect of the invention that you discovered? 1a. How one man brought an idea to life and expanded upon it from almost start to end, Igor Sikorsky has contributed the most towards Helicopters and with others here and there improving the design, it's truly remarkable how he took the invention to new standards that are still used today. 2. After hearing all of the presentations about different aerospace inventions, how would you compare your chosen aerospace invention with the others described? Was its impact more important, less important, and why? 2a. ? 3. If given more time to research another aerospace invention, what would you like to learn more about? 3a. I would like to dive deeper into learning about the Military helicopters side, because there seems to be a large difference between the more civilian helicopters and the military helicopters. |
Sources List;
http://connecticuthistory.org/worlds-first-helicopter-today-in-history/
http://inventors.about.com/od/hstartinventions/a/helicopter.htm
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bell_sioux.php
http://primeindustriesusa.com/history-of-the-helicopter/
http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-62%20HELICOPTER%20.php
http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Swindelle/8043.htm
http://connecticuthistory.org/worlds-first-helicopter-today-in-history/
http://inventors.about.com/od/hstartinventions/a/helicopter.htm
http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bell_sioux.php
http://primeindustriesusa.com/history-of-the-helicopter/
http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-62%20HELICOPTER%20.php
http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Swindelle/8043.htm