Feliks Wladyslaw Pawlowski (1880-1951) was one of the pioneers and creators of Polish aeronautics, a field dealing with the sailing of lighter-than-air craft, primarily balloons and airships. Who was he and what was his contribution? 1. engineer and designer Pawlowski was involved in the design and construction of balloons and related equipment. At a time when aviation was just in its infancy, he was among a group of enthusiasts developing aeronautics in Poland - even before the emergence of airplanes as the dominant means of flying. 2. organizer of the Polish balloon movement He participated in the formation of institutions and circles related to air sailing. He contributed to the popularization of balloon sports and to the creation of structures that later became part of Polish aeronautical organizations. 3. scientific activist and popularizer He wrote articles and papers on aeronautics, trying to consolidate its principles and pass on knowledge to the new generation. At a time when balloon flights were an important part of atmospheric and meteorological research, his contribution to the development of knowledge was not insignificant. The importance of Pawlowski is often cited in the history of Polish aviation as one of the first systematic researchers and promoters of aeronautics. Although later the development of aircraft overshadowed ballooning, his work was the foundation on which Polish aeronautical thought was based in the early 20th century.