Alexander (Sandor) L. Pfitzner | |
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Born | August 5, 1880 Csete, Hungary |
Died | July 12, 1910 | (aged 29) (reportedly)
Occupation(s) | Engineer, aviator |
Alexander (Sandor) L. Pfitzner (August 5, 1880 – July 7, 1910) was a Hungarian engineer, inventor and aviation pioneer. After studying at the Hungarian University of Technology and serving in the Hungarian Army as an artillery officer, he immigrated to the United States, where he pursued a career as a designer of automobile and aircraft engines. He designed and flew the first American monoplane, the Pfitzner Flyer. Apparently depressed by its lack of success, he is reported to have died by suicide in July 1910, although his body was never found. Following his death, reports spread that some of his friends had sighted him in New York City.