L'Albatros Artificiel

Quotes
"Based on the aerodynamic quality of an albatross' wings, Le Bris invented the Artificial Albatross glider, which was shaped like the bird itself. With a wood frame and covered in cloth, its wingspan was 50 feet. The pilot (Le Bris) sat inside, almost like in a canoe, and used levers to operate the movements of the wings and tail. The glider was put on top of a cart which itself was attached to a horse that ran against the wind. At this point, the Artificial Albatross was released from the cart and began to rise into the air. There is one report that claims the cart's driver became caught on the restraining rope and experienced flight along with the glider and Le Bris. The original report of this first flight indicates that the glider reached a distance of 600 feet and a height of 300 feet. Apparently the landing, cart driver and all, was pulled off with only a broken glider wing. This was the first flight in history to reach a point higher than its departure. In other words - up."

-InventorSpot.com

Description:
The first vehicle to ever achieve altitude, this was an ingenious design. It has the remarkable "wings" of a bird, reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's designs.

Related:

 * Jean-Marie Le Bris'
 * Leonardo da Vinci