Abbas Ibn Firnas, a 9th-century polymath and engineer, is recognized as the first human to achieve heavier-than-air flight over a thousand years before motorized airplanes. Using wings made of silk, wood, and feathers, he glided from Yemen's Jabal Al-Arus mountain at the age of 65 to 70, staying airborne for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, he crashed due to a lack of landing mechanics.
Born in modern-day Ronda, Spain, and living in Cordoba, a center of learning during the Umayyad Caliphate, Ibn Firnas's contributions extended beyond aviation. He invented water-powered clocks, experimented with quartz crystals, and developed lenses for the visually impaired.
His legacy is honored in various places named after him, including airports and bridges in Muslim-majority countries. He died between 890 and 895 AD, with some historians suggesting his death may have been linked to his flying injuries.
