Hargrave, Lawrence (1850–1915)

English-born Australian pioneer of heavier-than-air flight. He studied flight in Australia, building over 60 aircraft models of up to 3-metre/10-foot wingspan. He invented the box-kite in which he flew 3 m/10 ft off the ground. His personal aeronautical researches continued despite the successes of the Wright brothers in the USA.

Hargrave was born in London, England. He emigrated to Australia at the age of 16, and worked in engineering, before joining the New Guinea exploration in 1883.