Henri Giffard (8 February 1825 - 14 April 1882) was a French engineer. In 1852, he invented the steam injector and the powered airship. On 24 September 1852 Henri Giffard made the first powered and controlled flight travelling 27 km from Paris to Trappes. The wind was too strong to allow him to make way against it, so he was unable to return to the start. However, he was able to make turns and circles, proving that a powered airship could be steered and controlled. Read more