Henri Giffard
Engineer
French engineer who pioneered research into flight on lighter-than-air balloons. He invented the steam injector and the powered airship in 1852.
He made his fortune with the invention of the steam injector, that prevented steam engine boilers from running out of water.
He applied the principles of steam power to build the first controllable passenger-carrying aircraft.
He chose to leave his estate to the people rather than to his family.
Orville Wright and his brother Wilbur were not even born when he made his their first flight.