Aviation history: The first hang gliders to take flight — place and period Earliest successful hang-glider flights were carried out by which pioneer and in which country/period? Choose the correct option.

Given
Identify where and when the first hang-glider flights occurred.

Concept/Approach
Earliest practical, controllable gliding flights are credited to Otto Lilienthal, who conducted numerous glides off artificial hills.

Answer & Reason
Lilienthal flew weight-shift hang gliders in Germany during the 1890s, laying foundations for modern gliding and hang-gliding.

Why others are incorrect

• Wright brothers were USA, early 1900s, and built powered aircraft after 1903.
• UK 1910s gliding came later than Lilienthal.
• Australia 1960s saw modern designs but not the first-ever flights.
• Montgolfier were hot-air balloon pioneers, not hang gliders.

Final Answer
Germany in the 1890s (Otto Lilienthal).