Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) from Berlin, Germany, is widely credited as being the first person to make repeated successful gliding flights. He was known for adopting a thorough scientific approach founded on observations of the flight of birds in relation to the problem of inventing a man carrying heavier than air machine that would fly. He developed and tested bird-like gliders controlled by weight shift by the pilot (a similar method to modern hang gliders). The pilot held on to the glider with his forearms resting in hoops mounted on the main structural beam connecting the wings. The weight shift was achieved by the pilot swinging his trunk and legs. In contrast, the pilot of a modern hang glider is suspended below the glider and, with the use of an A-frame, allows the whole body to be moved around to achieve control. The Lilienthal design apparently had a tendency to pitch down and a tailplane was added to mitigate this problem. Lilienthal flew from hills in the Rhinow region and from a conical hill he built near Berlin. He made over 2000 flights. Importantly, for others seeking to progress manned flight at the time and also for the historical record, reports of Lilienthal’s flights (some with photographs) were published and Lilienthal detailed his experiences and corresponded with other flight pioneers. Lilienthal’s work became well known and influenced Orville and Wilbur Wright in their initial experiments with gliders in 1899 (although in their quest to design and fly an aeroplane they relied on new data created by wind tunnel testing). The replica built by Bruce Hearn is of the 1893 Lilienthal glider. It is very similar to the “Normal-Segalapparat” (Normal Glider) for which patent protection was later granted a few years later. The Lilienthal replica glider is an important addition to the AGM collection as it represents the beginning of successful gliding flight. Hang glider made of wood with wire bracing – yet to be covered with authentic cotton fabric. The glider has a small plate with identification details including name of builder (Bruce Hearn) glider, hang glider, lilienthal, hearn, replica

The original “Taylor glider” was the aircraft used by George Taylor for the first heavier than air flight in Australia, which occurred on the 5 December 1909 on the beach at Narrabeen, New South Wales. On that historic day the glider was also flown by Edward Hallstrom, Charles Schultz, and Mrs Taylor and Mrs Schultz. The replicas were built by the Museum to celebrate the centenary of the first Australian heavier than air flight. The glider is an accurate full size replica of George Taylor’s Glider.Wooden frame, wire braced and fabric covered biplane hang-gliderNoneaustralian gliding, glider, biplane, george taylor, edward hallstrom, charles schultz, narrabeen, first flight

Kites created by Helen Bushell, Kew resident for many years, and a pioneer of kite-flying world-wide. Kites are hand-made, mainly by Helen, and many were flown in local parks of Kew. Documents provide some background to the collection, and a set of photographs, which was used in an exhibition at Hawthorn Arts Centre, help to identify the kites and where they were flown. Individual items include: 2019.0047.01 - Make Mine Fly, Vol. 1 - book of instructions for making kites fly 2019.0047.02 - School Kites - book of 14 kite designs 2019.0047.03 - Helen Bushell Reaching for the sky (exhibition catalogue, 2017) 2019.0047.04 - Hansard (Victoria) Documents - statement by Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Local Government 2019.0047.06 - "Evolution" Trefoils - collection of advertisements for kites for sale 2019.0047.05 - Kite event badges on blue cotton sash (20 badges and name-tags) 2019.0047.07- Kite honours and B.A. Deakin plus Original Patents (Australian, British and U.S.) 2019.0047.08 - Helen Bushell, 1922- A Life in Kiting (28 panels mounted on board, showing photographs of Helen Bushell's kites, for exhibition in Hawthorn Arts Centre, 2017) 2019.0047.09 - 1986 Year of Peace Dove - paper pattern (15 copies + dowel rod) 2019.0047.010 - "Peace Dove" pattern August 1995 2019.0047.011 - Collection of drawings, patterns, poem, newsletters, etc. 2019.0047.012 - "Small birds" paper patterns 2019.0047.013 - Remake of old head "Fluted Sled" 2017 HB: nylon kite in heavy cotton bag 2019.0047.014 - Long yellow tail suitable for Rainbow Serpent 1992 2019.0047.015 - Long blue tail for Rainbow Serpent 1992 2019.0047.016 - Moth c. 1975 2019.0047.017 - Hand-held peace dove (used for Helen Bushell's memorial 2017) 2019.0047.018 - "Song for Bill" kite 2019.0047.019 - 7-point clown kite Kites and associated documents belonging to Helen Bushell have local significance for Kew, as many were flown in the area. They have artistic significance in their representation of Australian indigenous, Chinese, New Guinea and other cultural symbols. Among the documents are poems, books on kite-flying written by Helen Bushell, badges and cards from international conferences, and Australian, British and American patents for kite design. One kite shows an aerodynamically-designed keel which helped to improve safety for hang-gliders.Australian Kite Society, Helen Bushell collection of kite-related material, including kites, photographs, documents, badges, etc.australian kite society, helen bushell