Remember Jacob Goedecker’s name. This name belongs to a man who significantly impacted the world of aviation. The Jacob Goedecker Stele commemorates his contributions right here in Mainz.
Jacob Goedecker was born in Warsaw in 1882. He came from a wealthy family from Mainz. His father owned sugar and machine factories. As a young man, Goedecker’s imagination was ignited by stories of flight. He then studied mechanical and naval engineering. It was during this time that he met Professor Hugo Junkers. Junkers encouraged his students to be independent and innovative. Goedecker and Junkers both became deeply involved in aircraft construction during their studies.
In 1909, Jacob Goedecker founded his own company. It was named “J. Goedecker Flugmaschinenwerke”. His first aircraft were built with the help of boat builders. Test flights took place in Gonsenheim on the “Großen Sand”. Aviator Paul Lange conducted the first test flights in April 1910. The aircraft was Goedecker’s own design. It was inspired by the Etrich Taube. Goedecker achieved initial success and used balloon tires on the landing gear.
In 1911, Goedecker established a flight school. Some later famous aviators learned their skills there. One notable student was Anthony Fokker. Fokker later became a test pilot and instructor at the school. That same year, Goedecker built the first “Spinne” for Fokker.
Goedecker’s company built various aircraft in Gonsenheim. These included monoplanes, biplanes, and two flying boats. He presented initial designs for a gyroplane to the military in 1910. However, they were rejected. By the end of 1911, his aircraft factory employed 22 people. Successful participation in flight days and the ALA 1912 airshow in Berlin strengthened Goedecker’s reputation. In 1913, he produced sports aircraft. From 1914, he focused on two-seater biplanes for the military. During World War I, some biplanes from Goedecker’s factory were used by the German Air Force. However, he did not receive further military orders. He mainly focused on repairs.
After the war, Goedecker’s aircraft production stagnated. The Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles restricted his work. The Allies confiscated parts of the Gonsenheim factory. From 1920, Goedecker developed gliders and produced car bodies. In 1930, he was able to resume operations in Gonsenheim. However, he had fallen behind on technical developments. In 1932, he designed the Ornithopter. It was the first electrically powered ornithopter aircraft. He also worked for the German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight in Darmstadt. In the 1950s, he achieved international success with the first flight-capable model helicopters.
Jacob Goedecker died in Mainz-Gonsenheim in 1957. Since 1982, a memorial stone created by Adalbert Ditt commemorated the aviation pioneer. Since the end of 2013, it has stood in its historical location. It was re-erected on the green space of Willy-Brandt-Platz. This was formerly the “Großer Sand” airfield. The Jacob Goedecker Stele reminds us of a man whose innovative spirit helped shape the future of flight.