Alfred Hildebrandt

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Alfred Hildebrandt (1870-1949) was a captain and instructor in the Prussian Balloon Corps. He organized air shows to promote flight in Germany. Involved in 1896 in founding Upper Rhine Association for Aerial Navigation with Hermann Moedebeck. Retired from active duty in 1907 due to balloon accident — shifted focus to education.[1] Member of the International Commission for Scientific Aeronautics.

Travelled to U.S. in 1906 to investigate Wright Brothers experiments; returned to Germany recommending construction of airplanes.[1]

In 1907 published Die Luftschiffahrt nach ihrer geschichtlichen und gegenwärtigen Entwickelung; translated into English as Airships Past and Present by W. H. Story in 1908. In this book he placed an emphasis on aerial photography, mentioning that he had himself made over 80 ascents for that purpose (p. v).

With the Berlin Lokalanzieger (Local Gazette), organized and promoted the Flugversuche (flight trial), featuring Armand Zipfel, of January–February 1909.[1][2]

Flew with Orville Wright at Tempelhof field in September 1909.[1] "Zeppelin and Wright are the kings of the sky", he wrote.[3]

Publications

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hans Fabian, "Aeronautical Research Comes Into Being During the Time of the Empire", in Aeronautical Research in Germany: From Lilienthal until Today, ed. Ernst Heinrich Hirschel, Horst Prem, & Gero Madelung; Springer, 2012; p. 36.
  2. Pelle Snickars, "Reading Berlin 1909. 'Medienöffentlichkeit', Daily Press and Mediated Events", in Kinoöffentlichkeit (1895–1920), ed. Corinna Müller & Harro Segeberg; February 2008.
  3. Guillaume de Syon, "Faded Memories: The Wright Brothers and Germany, 1909–1913", paper given at Following in the Footsteps of the Wright Brothers: Their Sites and Stories, 28 September 2001.

Links


Publications by or about Alfred Hildebrandt


Names Alfred Hildebrandt
Birth date
Death date
Countries DE
Locations
Occupations military officer
Tech areas LTA, Photography, Military
Affiliations Prussian Balloon Corps, Upper Rhine Association for Aerial Navigation, International Commission for Scientific Aeronautics
Wikidata id