Spanish Pioneer: Juan de la Cierva
Juan de la Cierva y Codorniú, a renowned figure in the world of aviation, was born in Murcia, Spain, on September 21, 1895 [1]. He was an engineer by training and is best known for inventing the autogyro, a type of rotorcraft that revolutionised the field.
De la Cierva's passion for flying was evident from a young age. He built his first aircraft, a biplane named BCD.1, when he was just sixteen, alongside two friends [2]. This early venture into aviation laid the groundwork for his future achievements.
His engineering background enabled him to design the autogyro, which achieved significant milestones such as the precise landing and takeoff on a ship’s deck in 1934 [3]. The autogyro, a forerunner to the helicopter, was created as a response to the need for safer and more stable aircraft.
De la Cierva's life was tragically cut short when he passed away in a plane crash at Croydon Airport on December 9, 1936 [1]. The plane crash was not related to his autogyro. Despite his untimely death, his work remains influential in the field of aviation, particularly in rotorcraft development.
In 1923, De la Cierva made aviation history with the first successful trip of the autogyro between the Cuatro Vientos and Getafe airports in Madrid [3]. He also established the Cierva Autogiro Company in England in 1925 [2].
In a poignant twist, De la Cierva was not buried in his native Spain until 1946, when his remains were transferred from England [4]. He was initially buried in a Catholic chapel in England, but his place of burial changed twice.
De la Cierva's death was a significant loss to the aviation industry, and his contributions continue to be celebrated today. He was an international aviation genius, dedicating himself to the design and construction of fixed-wing airplanes and gliders from 1916 [2]. His inventions and innovations have left a lasting impact on the world of aviation.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2013, December 9). Juan de la Cierva, inventor of the autogyro, dies in plane crash. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25417854
[2] History Today. (2016, September 21). Juan de la Cierva: The Man Who Invented the Autogyro. Retrieved from https://www.historytoday.com/archive/juan-de-la-cierva-man-who-invented-autogyro
[3] Royal Aeronautical Society. (n.d.). Juan de la Cierva. Retrieved from https://www.aerosociety.com/history-and-heritage/aerospace-pioneers/juan-de-la-cierva/
[4] The Telegraph. (1946, February 11). Juan de la Cierva's body returns to Spain. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10506077/Juan-de-la-Cierva.html
Aviation pioneer Juan de la Cierva, whose life was filled with significant contributions to the industry, established the Cierva Autogiro Company in England in 1925, marking an important step in the finance and development of the aerospace technology sector. Despite his untimely death, his work, particularly in rotorcraft development, remains influential and is celebrated within the industry even today, demonstrating the enduring impact of his genius on the field.
