Cayley's 'Aerial Carriage', 1843.

Reproduction of Cayley's Proposed "Aerial Carriage", 1843

Reproduction of Cayley's Proposed 'Aerial Carriage', 1843 English aviation pioneer, George Cayley (1771-1857) was responsible for designing the first man-carrying glider. It incorporated four circular discs that were designed to raise the machine vertically, rather like a helicopter, whereupon they were to form circular wings. This ambitious design was never actually built but remains an example of Cayey's remarkable understanding of the principles of flight.