On 14 August 1901, it was claimed that the Bavarian-born Gustave Whitehead (aka Gustav Albin Weisskopf) made the first powered flight, thereby predating the historic flight made by the Wright Brothers by two years.
The question regarding the accuracy of Whitehead’s flights in 1901 and 1902 is an ongoing controversy among historians, which is unlikely ever to be resolved.
To celebrate Whitehead’s pioneering work in the world of aviation, here are two newspaper stories (published in August 1901) that report on the powered flights that Whitehead allegedly made in 1901.
Tamworth Herald – Saturday 24 August 1901
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000484/19010824/075/0006
Portsmouth Evening News – Wednesday 21 August 1901
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000290/19010821/031/0003
2 comments On The First Claimed Powered Flight – Gustave Whitehead, 14 August 1901
I commend the British Newspaper Archive for celebrating Gustave Whitehead’s contribution to aviation here.
Hi John, we’re more than happy to celebrate Whitehead’s contribution on the BNA blog. Regards, Grant.