William samuel henson biography of abraham

With the exception of Sir George Cayley, the first half of the 19th century witnessed little significant development in aeronautics until William Samuel Henson (1812-1888) published in 1843 his design for an advanced fixed-wing monoplane configuration known as the 'Aerial Steam Carriage'.

Born in Nottingham in 1812, the son of William Henson a lacemaker, in 1830 Henson moved moved to Chard in Somerset with his father, where he was initially employed as a machinist in the local lacemaking industry.

He soon set up in business on his own behalf as WS Henson, Lace Manufacturer.

From 1840 Henson began experiments with gliding models, corresponding with John Stringfellow (1799-1883) about his engine designs, and on 29 September 1842 submitted his patent application for a flying machine.

This was formally published in April 1843 as Description, specification, and drawings, of Mr. Henson's locomotive apparatus for the conveyance of passengers, etc. through the air. ('Aerial' Steam Carri