Kyle Frank

November 20, 2017

Period 5

Aerospace Engineering

In the first 30 years the helicopter was invented, they have rescued more than 50,000 people. On

September 14, 1939 Igor Sikorsky revolutionized the aviation community with the invention of the first

practical helicopter. Additionally, Frederick Rentschler founded the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company,

that created many successful aviation devices. Igor Sikorsky was influenced into aviation, and went

through many inventions before his helicopter. He studied aviation until he decided to take on the task of

doing something that was never done before, creating a helicopter. He then created the first practical

helicopter and later on changed aviation history. Frederick Rentschler created aviation devices with

different companies until he founded the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. From there, the Pratt and

Whitney Aircraft company created many successful aviation devices. These devices changed both

military and commercial aviation history. Igor and Frederick helped to change our local community with

their inventions. The aerospace engineering events in Connecticut historically changed the local

community and the aviation community during the mid 20th century.

Early Years and Influences

Igor Sikorsky had to go through many inventions before he could create a helicopter. When Igor

entered aviation the first thing he was interested in was building a helicopter. Igor was influenced into

aviation because of the Wright Brothers’ airplane. He was able to create a helicopter in 1910, however it

could not lift with a man in it. Igor could not create a helicopter from the beginning, so much that he gave

up on the idea. Also, he was discouraged because many people did not see the relevance of a helicopter

being created. He created his first four airplanes the S-1, S-2, S-3, and S-4, however, all of them crashed.

It wasn’t until February of 1912 when he built a successful airplane, the S-6A, which won the Great Gold

Medal (Sikorsky 9). Igor Sikorsky was able to build a successful airplane, but his main goal was to build

1 Frank
a helicopter. His first helicopters, the H-1 and H-2 were built in 1909 and 1910, however both of these

helicopters were failures (Wyckoff 9). He still was not close to building a successful helicopter. From

Igor’s first attempt at a helicopter in 1909, it took him 22 years to only submit a patent for the helicopter.

It also took 4 years for the patent to be granted. Igor had to go through helicopters and airplanes before he

could create a successful invention.

Igor Sikorsky’s Helicopter

The helicopter was a huge step forward for the aviation community. The aviation community did

not support helicopters as much as they did airplanes. Igor Sikorsky wanted to create a helicopter from the

beginning because of his fascination. However, he was almost forced away from helicopters because

many people did not see the potential in them. The VS-300 took off in Stratford CT on September 14,

1939. It took Igor 30 years to accomplish his goal of creating a helicopter. On May 13, 1940, the VS-300

took its first free flight. Afterwards basic helicopter production had started. Igor’s helicopter, the first

practical helicopter was finally created.

National Effect of the Helicopter

After Igor’s helicopter was created, it historically changed the nation. Igor Sikorsky said, “If a

man is in need of rescue, an airplane can come throw flowers on him, and that’s just about it. But a direct

lift aircraft could come in and save his life” (The Aviation Pioneer Speaks). Before Igor created the

helicopter, rescue was not something an airplane was able to do. For example, if there was a flood, an

airplane could not help the people in danger. However, a helicopter can come directly toward the people

and save them. Because of the helicopter, Igor Sikorsky helped advance aviation, and set records with the

helicopter. One of his later helicopters, the S-70, won a design competition, and over 3,000 S-70

helicopters were delivered worldwide. Igor Sikorsky also said, “For me, the greatest source of comfort

and satisfaction is the fact that our helicopters have saved up to the present time (1969) over fifty

thousand lives and still continues with their rescue missions” (The Aviation Pioneer Speaks). They can

help save people from many different disasters. They can help put out fires, and rescue people from

floods. Helicopters have historically changed how aviation, and have helped save many lives.

2 Frank
Early Frederick Rentschler Devices

Frederick Rentschler was able to establish a successful company. In 1909 Frederick Rentschler

helped develop the Whirlwind, the first high-powered air-cooled engine. Rentschler left the Wright

Aeronautical Company in 1924 to help create an engine that exceeded 400 horsepower, and was no

heavier than 650 pounds for the military. Eventually he needed to create his own company. He was able

to branch out of Pratt and Whitney, with the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. Afterwards on

December 24, 1925, he was able to create a 425 horsepower, and 650 pound engine. This engine was

called the wasp engine, Rentschler’s first successful invention. This invention was the start to many more

that would eventually change aviation history. Frederick Rentschler was able to create a successful

company to start his career in aviation.

Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company and Famous Devices

Following the Wasp engine came more successful devices. The Wasp engine was the first of its

kind, being that it had an air-cooled radial design. After the Wasp, Rentschler was able to create a second

air-cooled engine called the Hornet. The Hornet was a 525 horsepower engine. These two engines were

helpful for the military. The United States Navy ordered 200 of these engines. These engines were used

for Boeing fighters and Vought Corsair observation planes. In 1929, Rentschler moved his operations to

East Hartford, where there was a larger plant. Therefore, more engines could be produced. Eventually by

1940 Rentschler had created a 1200 horsepower engine called the Twin Wasp. Frederick Rentschler

helped the military, and created revolutionary engines.

National Effect of Frederick Rentschler

Frederick Rentschler historically changed aviation, and commercial airplane flights. At the time,

Rentschler created two revolutionary engines, the Wasp and Hornet. These helped out the military’s

aviation, providing higher horsepower, and lightweight engines.By the 1930s, Wasp and Hornet engines

were in thousands of military aircraft. Rentschler also helped revolutionize commercial airplanes. In 1928

Rentschler was determined to help passenger air travel. Boeing had service between San Francisco and

Chicago, covering half the country.Rentschler was able to change the limitations on air travel. Rentschler

3 Frank
found Stout Air Service, which flew between Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland. He was then able to

propose a merger with the National Air Transport. This merger occurred in June of 1930 and then United

Airlines was formed. United then became the first transcontinental airline. Frederick Rentschler changed

history with the first transcontinental airline, and provided the military with revolutionary engines.

Local Effect of Igor Sikorsky and Frederick Rentschler

Igor Sikorsky and Frederick Rentschler impacted the local community economy. In 1943, aircraft

manufacturers were required to produce 50,000 aircraft a year (DeLuca). Because of this requirement the

Pratt and Whitney Aircraft company went from 3,000 employees to 40,000. This company helped to

provide jobs for people in Connecticut at the time. At the time when Sikorsky had first created his

helicopter, he only had a few hundred employees. However, as time moved on, by 1957 Sikorsky had

11,000 employees. “If you look at it, every 100 jobs in a region creates $5.5 million in personal income.

Multiply that by the number of jobs at Sikorsky and you'll have some comparative analysis of what that

means” (Timpanelli). Igor and Frederick helped to provide jobs for the community, therefore affecting the

economy.

Conclusion

Igor Sikorsky and Frederick Rentschler were significantly important to changing the aviation

community, and helping the local economy. Helicopters are used in our everyday lives, and without

Sikorsky we would not have one. After the creation, the aviation community finally realized the

significance of helicopters. They can help transport items, and help rescue people in disasters that occur.

This is still the use of the helicopter today, not only in Connecticut, but around the world. Frederick

Rentschler then helped create more engines for military airplanes. These engines were also used in other

aircraft. Also, Rentschler created the first transcontinental airplane service. Without this service there

would be no travel between the west and east coast. Frederick Rentschler and Igor Sikorsky both helped

to create more jobs for people in Connecticut. These job opportunities also helped Connecticut’s

economy. Sikorsky and Rentschler both contributed major roles for the life we have today.

4 Frank
 The aerospace engineering events in Connecticut historically changed the local community

and the aviation community during the mid 20th century. Igor Sikorsky created many inventions that

helped him towards building a helicopter. His helicopter then impacted the aviation community. Frederick

Rentschler established a successful company. This company created revolutionary engines for the

military. Rentschler changed aviation with these engines, and with the transcontinental airplane service.

Igor Sikorsky and Frederick Rentschler made many commitments to the aviation community, and our

local community to improve our lives.

5 Frank