英语新闻与报道—News & Reports 71（在线收听）

 Wk 46 (13 November 1907)

Frenchman Flies The First HelicopterThis Week in HistoryFrench bicycle maker Paul Cornu flies his home-made helicopter for 20 seconds.

In 1907, French engineer and bicycle maker Paul Cornu designed and built the first helicopter to successfully fly. Cornu himself piloted the first flight and ascended to an altitude of 1 foot. He hovered there for 20 seconds before descending and landing on the 4 bicycle wheels which acted as the helicopter's landing gear. Later improvements in design led to his record flight to a height of 5 feet.