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.

Sikorsky became the chief engineer of the aviation division of the Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works in St. Petersburg. During this period, he designed and built the world's first four-engine airplane, the Russky Vityaz (Russian Knight), in 1913. He followed this success with the Ilya Muromets, the world's first airliner, which saw significant service during World War I as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

Following the Bolshevik Revolution, Sikorsky emigrated to the United States. The political upheaval in Russia made it impossible for him to continue his aircraft design work there. He arrived in America with limited financial resources but a wealth of engineering knowledge and a burning ambition to continue innovating in aviation.

With the help of several former Russian military officers, Sikorsky established the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation near New York City. Initially struggling to secure funding and contracts, the company focused on building fixed-wing aircraft, primarily for airmail and passenger transport. These early aircraft laid the groundwork for the company's later success with helicopters.

Although his company had achieved some success with fixed-wing aircraft, Sikorsky became increasingly convinced of the potential of the helicopter. Drawing on his earlier, unrealized designs, he dedicated himself to developing a practical and controllable helicopter. This marked a significant turning point in his career and in aviation history.

Sikorsky's VS-300, the world's first helicopter to incorporate a single main rotor and tail rotor design, made its first free flight on September 14, 1939. This design proved to be highly effective and became the template for most modern helicopters. The VS-300 revolutionized aviation and paved the way for the widespread adoption of helicopters in civilian and military applications.

During World War II and the subsequent decades, Sikorsky's company became a leading manufacturer of helicopters for the U.S. military and commercial markets. His designs, such as the R-4, R-5, and S-55, were instrumental in search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, and a wide range of other roles. Sikorsky continued to innovate, developing larger and more capable helicopters throughout this period.

Igor Sikorsky passed away at his home in Easton, Connecticut, at the age of 83. He left behind a remarkable legacy of innovation and accomplishment, having fundamentally transformed aviation with his pioneering work on both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. His contributions continue to shape the way we fly and utilize aircraft in the 21st century.