The history of the aircraft is less than 150 years old. The early days of aviation (1874-1945) is characterized by brilliant inventors who gave wings to their ideas. Otto Lilienthal and the Wright Brothers are known worldwide for their achievements. Less known is another pioneer of aviation: Ernst Heinkel. His name is not synonomous with aeronautic accomplishment, but in most part for the horrors of the German Luftwaffe during World War II. From the jet engine to the ejection seat, retractable landing gear to the fastest aircraft in the world – many of Heinkel’s inventions have been critical in driving aviation forward. At the same time, many slave laborers from concentration camps died in Heinkel factories, and the bombers that rolled out of these factories gripped Europe in fear and terror. Engineer, inventor and tinkerer, National Socialist or complacent follower? – the figure of Ernst Heinkel is disputed to this day.