The Human-Powered group of the Royal Aeronautical Society, in Britain, remains to this day, more than 50 years after their formation, with their website on the RAeS reading “We have reached the transitional period in human powered flight. The basic research has been done, and this next stage will lead to more practical aircraft” which can be flown for sport. Much of their longevity is due to remarkable figures: one who financed the development of human-powered flight and one who realized it.

On this day, August 23, in 1977, the Gossamer Condor, piloted by amateur cyclist Bryan Allen and developed by Dr. Paul MacCready, won the first Kremer prize established in 1959 by the British industrialist Henry Kremer for pioneers of human-powered flight. Kramer promised a £50,000 prize to the first one to complete his flight challenge.

The Gossamer Condor fulfilled Kremer’s requirements by being the first human-powered aircraft to fly a figure eight around two markers one half mile apart, keeping a height of at 10 feet above the ground during the start and end of the course. The innovative, hang glider-inspired design was refined and replicated two years later Macready and Allen in winning the second Kremer prize for the first human-powered flight across the English Channel.