Octave Chanute, a French-born civil engineer and aviation pioneer, advised the
Wright brothers, and learned from sparrows.

His 1894 book, Progress in Flying Machines, discussed the advancements of the
era. In 1896 he designed his famous stable biplane hang  glider, which became
the turning point in glider design.

Chanute's rigging system was used by the Wright brothers, and he gave them
advice and assistance that led to their flying machine's being a success.

He learned the concept of tail-down landing from observing sparrows.

Chanute was chief engineer of the Erie Railroad in 1875 when his assistant
accomplished a crossing of the Genesee River at Portage, NY, by building an
iron bridge.