Hezârfen Ahmed ÃÂelebi (; 1609 â 1640) was an Ottoman scientist, inventor, chemist, astronomer, physician, Andalusi musician, and poet from Istanbul, reported in the writings of traveler Evliya ÃÂelebi to have achieved sustained unpowered flight.
Etymology of name
The title "Hezârfen", given by Evliyâ ÃÂelebi to Ahmed ÃÂelebi, is from Persian ÃÂòçñ hezÃÂr meaning -a thousand- + ÃÂÃÂàfann meaning -science together making it together Ahmed having talents in "a thousand of sciences (polymath).
Non-powered flight
The 17th century writings of Evliyâ ÃÂelebi relate this story of Hezârfen Ahmed ÃÂelebi, circa 1630âÂÂ1632:
Legacy
- One of 4 airports in Istanbul is named the "Hezarfen Airfield".
- A 1996 feature-length film, "Istanbul Beneath My Wings" (ðstanbul Kanatlarñmñn Altñnda) concerns the lives of Hezârfen Ahmet ÃÂelebi, his brother and purported rocket aviator Lagari Hasan ÃÂelebi (per the same single source, ÃÂelebi, as the above story), and Ottoman society in the early 17th century, as witnessed and narrated by Evliya ÃÂelebi.
- The Turkish childrenâÂÂs TV show âÂÂLittle Hezarfenâ (Küçük Hezarfen) is about Hezârfen Ahmet ÃÂelebi's childhood, though the events that occur within the show are likely fictitious and/or exaggerated. A main theme within the show, however, is Hezarfen's desire to build wings that allow him to fly.
- Also featured in Turkish series "Magnificent Century: Kosem" in episode 41.
See also
References