A Glider’s Humble Beginnings
In the late 1940s, Francis Rogallo, inspired by the idea of simple and affordable flight, and his wife Gertrude created the first prototype of a flexible wing. Using kitchen curtains, they built and tested their design in a homemade wind tunnel, leading to a 1951 patent for the “Flexible Kite.”
NASA’s Unexpected Interest
Initially dismissed by aeronautical experts, Rogallo’s wing gained attention during the space race. By the early 1960s, NASA envisioned using it to land Gemini spacecraft on runways instead of ocean splashdowns. The paraglider underwent extensive testing, showing promise as a controlled landing method for returning astronauts.
Challenges and Missed Opportunities
Despite successful test flights in 1964, the paraglider program faced delays and was ultimately shelved due to time constraints and shifting priorities toward Apollo. NASA continued using parachutes, leaving Rogallo’s vision unfulfilled in space missions.
The Birth of Hang Gliding
Though abandoned by NASA, Rogallo’s invention inspired the modern sport of hang gliding. Enthusiasts adapted the flexible wing for recreational use, achieving his dream of simple, personal flight. Rogallo himself enjoyed the sport, gliding into his later years on the dunes of Kitty Hawk.
Francis Rogallo stood ready in 1959, holding his diamond-shaped glider. The NASA engineer launched it across a conference room, demonstrating its potential to none other than Wernher von Braun. The flexible wing he created briefly captured the imagination of the space race, but… pic.twitter.com/YzIzpe5Q7U
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