Leonard Bonney was an early pioneer of aviation, described by wikipedia as "an early aviator, who flew with the Wright Exhibition Team as early as 1910. An experienced aviator with service in the First World War, Bonney set out to develop a plane with more efficient wings and controls than contemporary aircraft. Noting the gull's two to one lift to weight ratio, he set about molding gull wings for their shape. Construction took place over the course of five years."
Unfortunately, Bonney lost his life when his plane nosedived shortly after takeoff.
Tragic Pioneer Flight (1928)