Graeme Henderson ()
writes:

Eclipsed by the size of the sport that he founded, John
Dickenson’s story has remained a mystery in spite of the many efforts over the
years to highlight his eminent role. Myths abound, credit has gone to people who
have no true claim to it, and Australia’s greatest contribution to global
aviation has continually been overlooked. As the absolute founder of the sport
John Dickenson deserves better than this.


In the spring of 1963 an Australian, Mr John Dickenson, built the aircraft that
evolved into the modern Hang Gliders built today. Often mistakenly called ‘The
Rogallo Wing’, it should correctly be called ‘The Dickenson Wing’. It is
important to note that Dr Francis M. Rogallo played only a small part in the
building of this aircraft, no more than say Otto Lilienthal, or The Wright
Brothers, or even Leonardo Da Vinci.

The full story here:
http://ozreport.com/data/Dickenson/Dickenson.htm.