J.C. Irvine 1908 Aerocycloid (Replica)

The Aerocycloid was a concept aircraft, exploring VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) ideas that were truly “out-of-the-box” before the age of flight really even started. It had four circular discs mounted horizontally on a Ferris wheel-looking device that was rotated by a 7 H.P. Indian Motor Cycle engine. The control system enabled the entire disc assembly to pitch forward or backward or to warp, producing side-to-side translation. The Aerocycloid did not fly.