THE FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN GLIDER

It seems that Household consulted the Anglican Bishop of Pietermaritzburg, Bishop John William Colenso, who was a known mathematician and theologian. Colenso may have designed the aerodynamics of the wings of the glider for Household.

In 1870, Household and his brother built a glider and launched it from the top of an 80metre cliff. This first trial craft was a single wing hang glider with a shifting seat like a swing.

It was shaped on the form of a vulture and built of bamboo, river reed, oiled paper and rope. It was not a success.