I first began working with ornithopters in the 1980s. At that time, there was a group called The Ornithopter Modelers' Society. Some of the members were interested in indoor ornithopter competition, while others were trying to figure out how to build an ornithopter powered by an engine instead of a rubber band. Gradually, I began to uncover more information about what had already been done in this area. The first engine-powered ornithopters existed at least half a century earlier!

Several researchers have used steam, compressed air, or carbon dioxide to power their ornithopters. I have included these piston motors here along with internal combustion engines. I have not included any manned ornithopters, because they have their own page.
 

		1870. The first successful ornithopter that we know of was constructed by Gustave Trouvé. Twelve gunpowder charges were fired successively into a bourdon tube to flap the wings, an unusual type of internal combustion engine. It flew 70 meters in a demonstration to the French Academy of Sciences.
		1890. Lawrence Hargrave built some ornithopters powered by steam and compressed air. The ornithopter shown here is about 2 meters long and hangs in the National Air & Space Museum. Hargrave used a rear fixed wing, like the tail of a bird, but much larger in size and carrying more weight. This eliminated the need for gear reduction and therefore simplified the construction.
		1930s. Vincenz Chalupsky built a series of ornithopters that could be powered either by compressed air or carbon dioxide. These ornithopters had a birdlike appearance.
		1930s. Alexander Lippisch and others in Germany constructed a number of piston-driven ornithopters. One of Lippisch's ornithopters had a 3 meter wingspan and weighed 1950 grams. Using a 4 cc petrol engine, it made flights up to 16 minutes. It should be understood that the fixed wings did not offer a free ride: Sufficient thrust must be applied in order for a fixed wing to produce lift.
seeking photo		1935. In Walden NY around 1935-1936, Early Bird pilot Harry D. Graulich successfully flew in tethered flight an engine-powered ornithopter with about 4.8 meter wingspan. It was powered by a four-cylinder air-cooled engine.
		1958. Percival Spencer constructed a series of engine-driven ornithopters in the shape of a bird. They ranged in size from a small 0.02-engine-powered ornithopter to one with an eight-foot wingspan. Spencer is also noted as a pioneer pilot and the designer of the Republic Seabee amphibious airplane. He also designed a toy, called the Wham-O Bird, which introduced thousands of children to the idea of mechanized flapping-wing flight.
		1960. Spencer collaborated with Jack Stephenson to build the Orniplane. This was the first radio-controlled ornithopter. Most of the engine-driven ornithopters built after this were likewise radio-controlled, so I will describe them along with other radio-controlled ornithopters.