Discover the pioneers and breakthroughs that shaped the skies.

The journey of manned aviation began in 1783 with the Montgolfier brothers and physicist Jacques Charles, who successfully launched the first balloons. These early balloons, which drifted with the wind and couldn’t be steered, would later gain popularity as sports equipment. In our exhibition, you can see the balloon basket from the gas balloon D-ALB, along with other fascinating artifacts.

By the late 19th century, Otto Lilienthal laid the foundation for modern aircraft design through his aerodynamic studies and successful glider flights. You can get an up-close look at a detailed replica of his Normal-Segelapparat from 1894. Less than a decade later, in 1903, the Wright brothers made history with the first powered flight. Our exhibition features a large model from 1909 showcasing the iconic design of their aircraft.

Throughout Southern Germany, innovative minds like Alois Wolfmüller and the Vollmoeller brothers took inspiration from these breakthroughs, experimenting with their own gliders and powered aircraft. Discover how these early pioneers shaped the future of aviation!