Traian Vuia
Traian Vuia | |
|---|---|
Vuia, c. 1920 | |
| Born | 17 August 1872 |
| Died | 3 September 1950 (aged 78) Bucharest, Romania |
| Resting place | Bellu Cemetery, Bucharest 44°24′21″N 26°05′59″E / 44.40583°N 26.09972°E |
| Nationality | Romanian |
| Occupation | Inventor |
| Known for | Early flying machine |
Traian Vuia or Trajan Vuia (Romanian pronunciation: [traˈjan ˈvuja]; 17 August 1872 – 3 September 1950) was a Romanian inventor and aviation pioneer who designed, built, and tested the first tractor monoplane. He was the first to demonstrate that a flying machine could rise into the air by running on wheels on an ordinary road. He is credited with a powered hop of 11 m (36 ft) made on 18 March 1906, and he later claimed a powered hop of 24 m (79 ft). Though unsuccessful in sustained flight, Vuia's invention influenced Louis Blériot in designing monoplanes. Later, Vuia also designed helicopters.
A French citizen from 1918, Vuia led the Romanians (especially Transylvanians) of France in the Resistance during World War II. He returned to Romania just before his death in 1950.