Hargrave, Lawrence (1850-1915), an Australian pioneer in aviation, conducted many experiments involving the principles of flight. His work in Australia laid the foundation for the development of modern aircraft. When he began his research in the 1880’s, most people believed that it was impossible for machines to fly through the air.
Hargrave built many models, usually of small size and simple construction. At first, he concentrated on designing and testing model airplanes propelled by flapping wings. In 1890, he constructed a flapping-wing model driven by compressed air. The model flew 360 feet (110 meters). In 1893, he became interested in the way birds are sometimes lifted off the ground by the motion of air above their wings. He experimented with kites and discovered that a kite with a convex upper surface pulled twice as hard as one with flat surfaces. He went on to construct box kites. At Stanwell Park, in New South Wales, in 1894, four box kites lifted him 17 feet (5.2 meters) above the ground.
Hargrave also experimented with methods of propelling aircraft. He built models powered by elastic bands, clockwork, compressed air, steam, and internal-combustion engines. He invented a rotary engine driven by compressed air and, later, by steam. Similar engines fueled by gasoline powered many early airplanes. Hargrave also experimented with water skis and hydroplanes.
Hargrave was born in Greenwich, near London, on Jan. 20, 1850. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland. In 1866, he immigrated to Australia and began working as an engineer with a shipping company. In the 1870’s, he joined a series of expeditions to New Guinea. In 1877, he was elected a member of the Royal Society of New South Wales, an organization of scientists and artists. In 1879, he became an assistant astronomical observer at the Sydney Observatory. Five years later, he resigned from this post to devote himself to research into the principles of aeronautics. Hargrave died on July 6, 1915.
