How a Yorkshireman beat the Wrights into the air

It's common knowledge – and in the record books – that the Wright brothers invented the aeroplane. Indeed this year Britain will join the United States in celebrating the centenary of the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina in December 1903.

But in Yorkshire yesterday a band of campaigners, led by a high sheriff and a former British Aerospace test pilot, insisted that the hand of history had placed the mantle of greatness on the wrong men. Instead of marking the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight we should be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the relatively unknown Sir George Cayley, who made the Wrights' achievements possible through a vintage piece of British eccentricity.

In 1853 Sir George, an MP, landed gentleman and amateur scientist, proved his theory of aerodynamics by sending his coachman in a kite-shaped glider across a dale in the grounds of Brompton Hall, Yorkshire.

The reluctant coachman broke his leg in a flight that covered just 423ft (130m) and subsequently gave in his notice, complaining he "was hired to drive, not to fly". But the flight vindicated Sir George's belief that air passing over a curved wing generated lift.

"Had there been a suitable engine available to power it, then the world might well not be celebrating the Wrights' centenary, but Cayley's 150th," said Ian Wormald, a retired squadron leader and former British Aerospace test pilot.

"Sir George's achievements are little known outside science and the aviation industry. We need to shame our institutions who continue to neglect our home-grown genius."

Last year, two British microlighters attempted to fly around the world to raise awareness of Sir George's achievements. Other supporters, including Sir George's direct descendants who still live on the Cayley estate at Brompton near Scarborough in North Yorkshire, are planning their own celebrations.

"The institutions in London have focused on 100 years of flight, which leaves Sir George out," said Mr Wormald, 64, who manages a private airfield at Elvington near York. "We shall celebrate the Wrights too, but with the foundation of Cayley's work very clearly stated."

Campaigners are also concerned that the Science Museum in London is sending a silver disc made by Sir George to mark his achievement to the US National Air and Space Museum as part of its Wright brothers celebrations. They had hoped to show it in Yorkshire.

Sir George, who was born in 1773, flew his first model of a glider in 1804, making a full-scale version four years later. But his mind him took off in other directions to work on everything from tracked vehicles and artificial limbs to the first tension-spoked wheel like those on modern bicycles. His meticulous notes showed he returned to aerodynamics in his late 70s, but they fail to record the day of his manned flight. His diariesindicate that it was in late June or early July 1853.

Keith Mans, the Royal Aeronautical Society's chief executive, denied Sir George was being overlooked. "The centenary of powered flight is not just an American achievement," he said. "It provides us with an opportunity for other things, including showing that Cayley, if not the father, was certainly the grandfather of flight." Andrew Nahum, the Science Museum's curator of aviation, said Sir George did deserve "greater recognition in this country". He said: "If the idea is getting Cayley's name better known, then what better than sending his silver disc to the world's foremost aviation museum? Mounting an exhibition requires sponsorship and I doubt we could have attracted enough. In any event the number of original artefacts related to him is limited."