Historical Figures · 21st Century
Otto Lilienthal’s Last Words
“I have lived my truth.”— Otto Lilienthal, Unknown
Who Was Otto Lilienthal?
Karl Wilhelm Otto Lilienthal was a German pioneer of aviation who became known as the "flying man". He was the first person to make well-documented, repeated, successful flights with gliders, therefore making the idea of heavier-than-air aircraft a reality. Newspapers and magazines published photographs of Lilienthal gliding, favourably influencing public and scientific opinion about the possibility of flying machines becoming practical.
The Final Moments
The circumstances surrounding Otto Lilienthal's final moments are not fully documented in available historical records.
Are These Words Verified?
Otto Lilienthal died August 10, 1896 from glider crash injuries. His documented last words were 'Opfer müssen gebracht werden' (Sacrifices must be made), not this quote.
Sources
- newspaper Contemporary German aviation journals 1896
Legacy
Otto Lilienthal's story continues to be discussed by historians and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Otto Lilienthal’s last words?
“I have lived my truth.”
How did Otto Lilienthal die?
Otto Lilienthal died on Unknown. Cause of death: Natural Causes.
Were Otto Lilienthal’s last words documented?
Otto Lilienthal died August 10, 1896 from glider crash injuries. His documented last words were 'Opfer müssen gebracht werden' (Sacrifices must be made), not this quote.
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