Hezarfen Ahmet Çelebi - Scientist

Ahmet Çelebi, because of his vast scientific knowledge was given the name Hezarfen, meaning “a thousand sciences”. In his early studies of flying, he was motivated by the 10th century Turkish scientist Ismail Cevheri. Çelebi, after carefully studying Cevheri's findings and when he felt confident enough arranged a public demonstration. He climbed the Galata Tower and launched himself into the wind; he passed over the Boshphorus and landed in the slopes of Üsküdar on the Anatolian side.

This event created a great sensation. Sultan Murat IV was delighted and wanted to award Hezarfen but religious leaders and palace advisers soon changed his mind. Hezarfen was exiled to Algeria where he soon at the age of 31.

Being one of the three airports in Istanbul, Hezarfen Airport is a good example of Turks fidelity to this hero.

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