biography
| name: |
Sikorsky, Igor (Ivan)
|
pronunciation:
[sikaw(r)skee]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1889–1972)
|
| biography:
| Aeronautical engineer, the inventor of the helicopter, born in Kiev, Ukraine. He began experimenting with building helicopters in 1909, but shelved his work due to lack of experience and money, and turned to aircraft. He built and flew the first four-engined aeroplane in 1913. He emigrated to the USA in 1919, and became a US citizen in 1928. He founded the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation (1923), merging the company into the United Aircraft Corporation. The recipient of the highest awards and medals for aviation, he built several flying-boats, including the American Clipper (1931), and in 1939 developed the first successful helicopter, the VS-300. |
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