Cayley, << KAY lee, >> Sir George (1773-1857), is often called the father of modern aeronautics. He contributed many ideas to the early history of aviation. Cayley wrote about helicopters, parachutes, and streamlining. He conceived the biplane and built a glider that flew 900 feet (270 meters). But Cayley believed that the first attempts at powered flight would be successful only with lighter-than-air craft. He suggested the use of a long, streamlined balloon—such as those used today in blimps—to support such a craft. Cayley was born on Dec. 27, 1773, near Scarborough, England. He died on Dec. 15, 1857. See also Airplane (First human flights) ; Glider (Early days) .
