AVIATION PIONEER

Explanation: In the medieval period, there were actually several attempts to recreate flight in the manner of birds. One early supposed experiment was by the polymath Abbas ibn Firnas in Muslim-ruled Spain:

Among other very curious experiments which he made, one is his trying to fly. He covered himself with feathers for the purpose, attached a couple of wings to his body, and, getting on an eminence, flung himself down into the air, when according to the testimony of several trustworthy writers who witnessed the performance, he flew a considerable distance, as if he had been a bird, but, in alighting again on the place whence he had started, his back was very much hurt, for not knowing that birds when they alight come down upon their tails, he forgot to provide himself with one.[6]

It’s not certain whether this was an actual occurrence (nor if the experiment was quite as successful as suggested), as it was only noted in full detail centuries after the event.