One of Sikorsky’s earliest recollections is of his mother telling him of Leonardo da Vinci’s attempts to design a flying machine. From that moment on the dream of flight captured his imagination, even though he was repeatedly told that flying had been proven impossible. Finally, at the age of about 12, Sikorsky made a model of a crude helicopter. Powered by rubber bands, the model rose into the air. Now he knew that his dream was not a foolhardy impossibility.
In 1911, Sikorsky received his pilot certificate and he designed, built, and flew a number of aircraft including the world’s first four-engine airplane in 1913.
During World War I he built a series of four-engine bombers.
In 1927, Sikorsky built a series of amphibians used to pioneer Central and South America air routes.
In 1931, Sikorsky designed and built flying boats called “Clippers” for transoceanic air routes.
