1 Abbas Ibn Firnas
Famous As: Polymath
Birthdate: 0810 AD
Birthplace: Izn-Rand Onda (Ronda), Al-Andalus
Died: 0887 AD
Centuries before the Wright bothers invented the first motorized aircraft, 9th-century polymath Abbas Ibn Firnas became the first man to fly. He used giant wings made of wood, silk, and feathers to jump from the Jabal Al-Arus mountains and reportedly glided for 10 minutes before crashing and injuring himself.