Lawrence Sperry
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Burst Sperry was an aviation pioneer. He was the third son of gyrocompass
co-inventor Elmer Ambrose Sperry
and his wife Zula. Sperry is noted for having invented the first autopilot
, which he demonstrated with startling success in France
in 1914. Sperry is also credited with developing the artificial horizon still used on most aircraft in the early 21st century. On 23 December 1923 Sperry took off amid fog from the United Kingdom
headed for France
but never reached his destination. His body was found in the English Channel
on 11 January 1924.
Gyrocompass
A gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which bases on a fast-spinning disc and rotation of our planet to automatically find geographical direction...
co-inventor Elmer Ambrose Sperry
Elmer Ambrose Sperry
Elmer Ambrose Sperry was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, most famous as co-inventor, with Herman Anschütz-Kaempfe of the gyrocompass.Sperry was born at Cincinnatus, New York, United States of America...
and his wife Zula. Sperry is noted for having invented the first autopilot
Autopilot
An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. An autopilot can refer specifically to aircraft, self-steering gear for boats, or auto guidance of space craft and missiles...
, which he demonstrated with startling success in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1914. Sperry is also credited with developing the artificial horizon still used on most aircraft in the early 21st century. On 23 December 1923 Sperry took off amid fog from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
headed for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
but never reached his destination. His body was found in the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
on 11 January 1924.
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