Maurice Léger's Electric Helicopter (1905), the Berliner/Williams Helicopter (1907), the PZK 1 and PZK 2 Helicopters (1917-1918) and the de Bothezat Helicopter (1922): The Facts and Fictions Surrounding Four (Justifiably?) Dubious Rotary-Wing 'Firsts'

Each of the pioneering claims surrounding the titled rotary-wing aircraft have been ignored by history – Léger's electric-powered helicopter is not regarded as having lifted the first human being into the air, thus denying Dr. Jules Rogers the distinction of being the first rotary-wing passenger; nor is attention given to the documented claim that the Williams helicopter lifted the first passenger in America. The PZK 1 & 2 Helicopters claim to have been the first purpose-designed helicopter, while the de Bothezat helicopter claims the honor of being the first American military rotary-wing aircraft, producing the first American military rotary-wing pilot, and the first rotary-wing military-contract cost overrun. The most accurate placement of these aircraft in rotary-wing history can only be ascertained by an examination of their facts and fictions, and in the case of de Bothezat, the later demollishing of his reputation in a public challenge with Albert Einstein.