Some of the 102 references given by Rogallo in his 1972 presentation.

At NASA 1964-1972Rogallo in NASA Publications

In his 1972 presentation, Flexible Wings for Transportation, Rogallo referenced 102 documents related to paragliders, parawings, and parasails. They are from NASA, the Department of Defense, and contractors, covering 1960–1971. (rre-09)

Only six of these documents are signed or co-signed by Rogallo. One NASA Technical Note and five presentations.

When we counted how many times Rogallo was referred to by his peers. In this over 6,900-page library, it was only four times:

  • TR 62-3B – Flexible Wing Cargo Gliders Vol II – Givens E. R. September 1962. “Flexible or (Rogallo) wing concept” is mentioned in the Preface.
  • AD B2522433 – Pilot’s Handbook for the Flexible Wing Aerial Utility XV-8A (Ryan Model 164) – Author unknown. March 1964. Page 9 mentions “Rogallo Type” once.
  • AD 477482 – An Evaluation of Flex-Wing Aircraft in Support of Indigenous Forces Involved in Counterinsurgency Operations – Wise R. A., et al. February 1965. Page 11, the term “Rogallo Wing” is used once.
  • TN D-3940 – Low-Speed Wind-Tunnel Investigation of Tension-Structure Parawings – Naeseth R. L., Fournier P. G. June 1967. Page 4, claims that Rogallo’s patented kite was flown as a glider. (Note: it was not.)

This confirms that Rogallo was not closely involved with the research on parawings and parasails. He reported on what was going on, mostly in self-promoting presentations, allowed and encouraged (remember the $35,000 cash award) by management at NASA.

Where is the father of hang gliding? In all of these documents, the only one that would help build a modern hang glider is found in the 1972 Flexible Wings for Transportation, Rogallo’s final NASA presentation. There are no plans or instructions, like the ones Rogallo received eight years earlier from Dickenson, but six poor-quality pictures from which you can determine the structure and control system of the modern hang glider.

In a further sub-chapter, we analyse this presentation.