German Focke-Wulf Fw 61 1st Practical Helicopter to Fly

On June 26, 1936, the Focke-Wulf Fw 61 made its first flight as the world's first practical helicopter. Introduced into service with the Luftwaffe soon afterwards, the Fw 61 only had 2 copies built, but was a harbinger of things to come. Attempts to invent practical helicopters had been going on for decades, and in various countries, including contemporaneous with the Fw 61. Company namesake Professor Henrich Focke had invented various flying machines, including auto gyros prior to his collaboration with Gerd Achgelis, but the two engineers decided auto gyros were not quite the end result they were looking for, and the quest for true vertical take off and landing continued, until finally the Fw 61 made its maiden flight. A new company was formed reflecting the names of the chief engineers, Focke-Achgelis to develop the Fw 61.