Overcoming the ties of gravity that bind us to Earth: Constantin von Economo, neurologist and pioneering aviator

Abstract Constantin von Economo was a brilliant neuroscientist whose 33 years of intense productivity are documented in over 4,200 pages of published works. He was best recognized for his notable research on encephalitis lethargica and the detailed cytoarchitectonic mapping of the human cerebral cortex. However, less widely known is that von Economo was also an aviation enthusiast, a skilled balloon and airplane pilot, who held prominent positions in aviation organizations, actively promoted international aeronautical meetings, and gained distinction as a pilot during World War I. Therefore, we aimed to revisit this remarkable but often overlooked aspect of his biography, emphasizing his love of the aeronautical arts and its impact on his medical career.