Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky was born in Kyiv (Kiev), Russian Empire (now Ukraine). His father, Ivan Alexeevich Sikorsky, was a professor of psychology, and his mother, Maria Stefanovna (née Temriuk-Cherkasova), was a physician. His upbringing, which included exposure to Leonardo da Vinci's sketches and Jules Verne's novels, sparked an early fascination with flight and mechanical innovation.

After studying in Paris, Sikorsky returned to Kyiv and began designing and building his first aircraft. While his initial designs were unsuccessful in achieving sustained flight, these early attempts provided invaluable experience and helped him refine his understanding of aeronautical principles. He built his first helicopter in 1909 which failed to fly and his first aircraft became airborne in 1910, setting him on the path to becoming a prominent aircraft designer.