Description

János Adorján (1882-1964) obtained his mechanical engineering degree in Stuttgart in 1903, where he studied as a disciple and protege of Gottlieb Daimler. Between 1906 and 1909, he worked in the automotive industry in Paris, and it was there that he developed an interest in aviation due to the influence of French aviation science. Upon returning home, he became the first in Hungary to design an airplane. Not only did he design the aircraft, but he also designed its engine. In 1909, with the support of Count Géza Andrássy, domestic companies constructed the “Libelle” (Dragonfly) airplane, which was powered by a twin-cylinder (18.4 kW) Adorján-Dedics engine. He performed the first successful takeoff on January 10, 1910. This event marked a historic moment as it was the first time a Hungarian pilot flew with a Hungarian-designed and built aircraft.