Horatio Phillips is now best known for his patented 'double surface aerofoil' sections. His results and designs were republished by Chanute, and almost certainly influenced the Wright Brother's understanding of their own wind tunnel data.

Phillips built a wind tunnel which used steam injection to create the airflow. In 1884 he patented a series of curved aerofoils designed:

"- in such a way as to as to cause a partial vacuum to be created over a portion of the upper surface of the blade thus aiding the air below to support the weight."

Phillips took the idea of high aspect ratio wings to its absolute extreme. His steam powered models & man carrying planes have been described as 'flying venetian blinds', and even as a 'flying runner bean frame'. His 1904 plane made only a brief hop, but the 1907 construction made a 'flight' of 500ft at Steatham, the first powered hop in England.