Precisely 113 years ago today, on December 5, 1909, Australia celebrated its first heavier-than-air flight. George Augustine Taylor and his wife Florence flew a biplane glider from the top of dunes on Narrabeen Beach in Sydney several times, with the longest flight covering a distance of over 800 feet.
Despite gliders having been flown in the United States and Europe for several years, Australia's first heavier-than-air flight attracted more than 100 spectators and several reporters to cover the event. The glider Taylor built was constructed from coachwood, a scented satinwood native to eastern Australia. Using a biplane design typical of other early gliders, the craft was covered in oiled calico and had a box-kite tail for balance.
Taylor took inspiration from earlier aviators
Taking inspiration from the Wright brothers and their early glider flights in North Carolina, Taylor chose Narrabeen Beach for its dunes and favorable winds. Able to maneuver the glider by shifting his weight, reports say that Taylor, his wife Florence, and their friend Australian businessman Edward Hallstrom made between 20 and 29 flights.
When reporting on the event for the Sydney Morning newspaper, aviation journalist Jack Percival wrote:
"At let go, the wind immediately lifted the machine to the full length of the guide ropes and dragged the operators so fast that two let go; the machine now soared towards the ocean, and at the water's edge, the remaining guide ropes were loosened, the machine making a leap upwards. Mr. Taylor, by careful maneuvering, kept the machine well under control."
About George Augustine Taylor
Born in Sydney on August 1, 1872, Taylor first worked as an architect but became known for his artistic work after joining the Sydney Bohemian set in the 1890s. His drawings were published in several Australian papers and even as far away as Great Britain, with his pictures picked up by The Sunday Times and London Punch.
A few years later, he became fascinated with aviation and radio, helping set up broadcasting regulations in Australia. Taylor married Florence Mary Parsons in 1907 and unfortunately died at the age of 55 after having an epileptic fit while taking a bath.
About Florence Mary Taylor
Born in Bedminster, Somerset, England, on December 28, 1879, Florence Mary Taylor later became a respected architect and publisher. Florence and her parents migrated to Australia from England in 1884 after her father got a job working for the Sydney Department of Public Works.
Following his death in 1899, Florence needed to find work to support herself and her two sisters. She attended night classes at Sydney Technical College and got a job working for architect Edmund Skelton Garton as a draftsman.
After completing her articles and being promoted to chief draftsman, she went to work for J. B. Clamp, who nominated her to become an associate member of the Institute of Architects of New South Wales. Unfortunately, despite her talent and the backing of Clamp, her membership was turned down.
Despite the setback and exclusion from the institute, Florence built thriving practice designing homes. On April 3, 1907, at St Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Sydney, Florence married George Augustine Taylor.
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