Found these fascinating videos of Igor Sikorsky's early fixed wing work. Clearly the man was a visionary. Any translated points would be interesting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YN0Ov3iISG8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CWSFSTamIRk
Just to keep the thread on a rotary wing footing, here is some of his later work.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7PyZoMYeb24
Finally, not directly related to helicopter development, this video which has to be seen to be believed. Absolutely no pilot misjudgement involved - aircraft isn't even running!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c6jdF692bcA
Mart