Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi

Ottoman polymath who achieved a legendary human-powered flight in the 17th century

Hezârfen Ahmed Çelebi (1609–1640) remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Ottoman history, celebrated for his pioneering attempt at human flight. According to the writings of traveler Evliya Çelebi, Hezârfen crafted wings from eagle feathers and leaped from Istanbul's Galata Tower around 1630, gliding across the Bosporus Strait to land in Üsküdar—a distance of approximately 3 kilometers.

This feat, if verified, predates the Wright brothers by nearly three centuries. Hezârfen (meaning 'thousand sciences') epitomized Renaissance-style curiosity in an era when Ottoman scholarship focused on theology. His experiments in aerodynamics, astronomy, and calligraphy challenged societal norms, leading to his eventual exile to Algeria by Sultan Murad IV, who feared his 'unnatural' innovations.

Modern historians debate the authenticity of his flight, but his story symbolizes cross-cultural scientific ambition. In 2010, Turkish Aerospace Industries reconstructed his wings, proving the design could achieve stable gliding. His legacy inspires Turkey's aviation industry and appears in exhibits at the Istanbul Aviation Museum.