What was the first VTOL aircraft?

The Flying Bedstead is recognized as the first VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. Developed in the late 1950s by the British, it was essentially a modified design of a vertical flight vehicle that tested various technologies and concepts related to VTOL performance. The aircraft utilized jet engines for vertical lift and was significant for demonstrating the principles of vertical flight.

The other aircraft mentioned had different roles and capabilities. The X-1 was primarily known for breaking the sound barrier and was not a VTOL aircraft. The U-2 is a reconnaissance aircraft that operates at high altitudes but does not possess VTOL capabilities. The DC-10, a commercial airliner, is designed for conventional take-offs and landings and does not qualify as a VTOL aircraft either. Therefore, the distinction of the Flying Bedstead being the first VTOL aircraft is well-founded in aviation history, marking a significant milestone in the development of aircraft that can take off and land vertically.