They were tinkerers, designers, reformers and visionaries. One was an engineer, the other an architect. One was bold, restless and optimistic, the other introverted and thoughtful. But above all, they were both multi-talented!
Otto and Gustav Lilienthal's lives and work are inextricably linked – it’s impossible to imagine one without the other. Gustav was Otto's younger brother and closest collaborator. Together, they researched bird flight and devised flying machines. As a young man, Gustav considered emigrating to Australia. But after five years, he returned to Europe and brought detailed notes about the flight behaviour of albatrosses back with him. And those notes became part of the joint research.
Otto, in turn, supported Gustav in his efforts as a social reformer. Gustav – the architect – wanted to improve ordinary people’s housing situation. He developed new building methods and founded cooperatives, where Otto took on the role of co-founder.
Following Otto's early death, Gustav continued working on his brother’s legacy and ploughed on with aeronautical research. But taking to the skies himself – that was no for him. Gustav was working on a flying machine when he died in February 1933 – almost four decades after his famous brother.
All depictions: © Lilienthal-Centrum Stölln
