Ján Bahýľ | |
|---|---|
 Inventor | |
| Born | 25 May 1856 |
| Died | 13 March 1915 (1915-03-14) (aged 58) |
| Occupation | Inventor |
| Spouse | Rozália Schwanzerová |
| Children | Frida, Wilhelmina, Gustav |
Ján Bahýľ (25 May 1856 – 13 March 1916) was aSlovak inventor and engineer. He specialised in military science, military construction, and engineering. Flying machines were a particular interest of his.[1] In 1895, he was granted a patent on thehelicopter.[2]
Bahýľ was born inZvolenská Slatina in theAustrian Empire (in present-daySlovakia). In 1869 he graduated from the Mining Academy ofBanská Štiavnica with a diploma in technical drawing. After graduation, he joined theHungarian Army; his superior officers noticed his technical ability[vague] and transferred him to the technical staff. The new assignment allowed Bahýľ to study at theVienna Military Academy, where he graduated in 1879 and was commissioned as alieutenant. During his time in the army, Bahýľ developed a number of inventions, many of which involvedhydraulics.
Bahýľ financed his first invention himself. It was called the Steam Tank, and was purchased by theRussian army. Bahýľ was granted seventeenpatents in all, including patents for thetank pump, ahot air balloon combined with an air turbine, the first petrol engine car in Slovakia (in partnership withAnton Marschall), and a lift to theBratislava Castle.[3]He flew one of the earliest helicopter models which he developed using an internal combustion engine as a power source.[4] On 5 May 1905, a version reached a height of 14 ft (4.3 m) and flew 5,300 ft (1,615 m).[4]
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