Nuri Demirağ (1886–1957) was an industrialist, engineer, entrepreneur and politician who achieved numerous firsts in industry, transportation and aviation during the early years of the Republic of Türkiye. He is recognized as a pioneer for establishing Türkiye’s first aircraft factory and private flight school, initiating domestic parachute production, and shaping the country’s development through railway, bridge and dam projects. Additionally, he became one of the leaders of Türkiye’s first opposition parties by founding the National Development Party during the transition to multi-party politics.

Life and Education

Nuri Demirağ was born on 7 May 1886 in Divriği district of Sivas to Mühürdarzade Ömer Bey and Ayşe Hanım. His family belonged to one of the region’s prominent and respected households. After his father Ömer Bey died in a horse riding accident when Nuri was only three years old, he assumed responsibility for his family’s livelihood at an early age. His brother Abdurrahman Naci Bey was born in the same year.

He completed his primary education at the Sıbyan Mekteb in Divriği and his secondary education at the Divriği Rüştiyesi. He was known as a successful student. In 1903 he passed the civil service examination opened by the Ziraat Bank and began his career at the Kangal branch. A year later he was transferred to the Koçgiri branch. During the famine that struck the region in 1909, he attempted to alleviate its effects by selling grain from state warehouses at fair prices to the public. An investigation launched against him for this initiative was ultimately turned into an award after the truth of his actions was established.

In 1910 he passed the Ministry of Finance examination and was assigned to Istanbul, where he served at the Beyoğlu Varidat Office. While in this position, he opposed the transfer of Taksim Barracks and Talimhane to foreign entities, which led to his reassignment to the Hasköy Mal Directorate. During the same period, he attended evening classes at the Ministry of Finance Higher School. While serving in Istanbul, he learned French and further developed his expertise in finance.

During the Allied occupation of Istanbul after the First World War, he served on the Ministry of Finance Inspection Commission. In 1918, after being insulted by occupation forces during an audit at the Tatavla branch, he resigned from public service. Following this incident, he ended his civil service career.

Entry into Business and Early Ventures

In 1918, Nuri Demirağ left state service and entered the private sector. His first venture was in cigarette paper production, a field then entirely controlled by foreign companies. Using his own capital, he established a small workshop in Istanbul and produced Türkiye’s first domestically manufactured cigarette paper under the name “Türk Zaferi.” This production became one of the earliest examples of local industrial entrepreneurship.

Following his success in cigarette paper manufacturing, he turned to international trade, expanding his capital through import and export activities. In the mid-1920s, he joined the Republic’s infrastructure drive by entering the contracting business. When the government transferred the construction of the Samsun–Sivas railway line from a foreign company to Turkish contractors, he took on the project. Together with his brother Abdurrahman Naci Bey, he completed the majority of the line.

His achievements in railway construction aligned with the Republic’s urban development policies. In recognition of his contributions to the nation’s transportation infrastructure, the surname “Demirağ” was personally granted to him by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Bolstered by his railway successes, he undertook the construction of new lines. During the 1920s and 1930s, he participated in building the Afyon–Antalya, Fevzipaşa–Diyarbakır, Sivas–Erzurum and Irmak–Filyos railway lines. Through these projects, approximately 1,250 kilometers of Türkiye’s total 10,000-kilometer railway network were constructed by his company.

The profits from railway construction enabled Nuri Demirağ to shift toward heavy industry in subsequent years. He became one of the pioneering contractors active in infrastructure and industry during the early Republic period.

Industrial and Infrastructure Investments

Following his railway projects, Nuri Demirağ turned to industrial investments in the 1930s, undertaking the construction of heavy industrial facilities across various regions of the country in line with the state’s development plans.

In 1933 he began construction of the Sümerbank Merinos Factory in Bursa. During the same period, he oversaw the construction of the Cellulose (SEKA) Factory in İzmit. He played a role in establishing the Cement Factory in Sivas and participated in the construction of the Iron and Steel Facilities in Karabük. These facilities contributed significantly to the establishment of foundational production sectors during Türkiye’s early industrialization period.

Nuri Demirağ also undertook the construction of the Istanbul Hal Binası, the Eceabat Airport, and several public buildings. Beyond his industrial activities, he engaged in public-benefit initiatives. He restored a historic fountain in front of Yıldız Palace and made it a tradition, ultimately commissioning a total of 43 fountains in different cities.

In 1931, studies began for the Bosphorus Bridge Project, intended to connect Asia and Europe. In 1934, he completed the project and collaborated with the American company “Bethlehem Steel Company.” The bridge was planned to accommodate both road and rail transport. The project was reviewed and approved by President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk but was rejected by the Minister of Public Works at the time, Ali Çetinkaya, on aesthetic grounds.

Another project introduced by Nuri Demirağ was the Keban Dam. While conducting studies in 1933 to provide energy to Sivas and its surroundings, he proposed constructing a dam on the Euphrates River. This proposal was later incorporated into state projects in the 1960s and implemented.

By the end of the 1930s, Nuri Demirağ had established a broad influence on Türkiye’s economic development through his industrial facilities infrastructure projects and energy planning.

Work in Aviation

In the mid-1930s, Nuri Demirağ directed the capital he gained from his industrial activities toward aviation. Motivated by the belief that Türkiye must produce its own aircraft, he began aircraft manufacturing in 1936. In response to a fundraising appeal by the Turkish Aeronautical Association he declared: “If you want something from me for this nation, you must ask for the best. Since a nation cannot survive without aircraft, we must not rely on the goodwill of others for this necessity. I am determined to build a factory for these aircraft.”^【1】 This decision laid the foundation for Türkiye’s first aircraft factory established by private enterprise.

Nuri Demirağ Supervising Aircraft Manufacturing (Nuri Demirağ)

Establishment of the Aircraft Factory

On 17 September 1936, the foundation of the “Nuri Demirağ Aircraft Workshop” was laid next to the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Türbesi in Beşiktaş. The building was constructed using metal construction methods appropriate for the technology of the era. The workshop was organized to produce aircraft fuselages wing components and gliders. Production activities were led by Selahattin Reşit Alan one of Türkiye’s first aircraft engineers.

Following the Beşiktaş workshop the Elmaspaşa Farm in Yeşilköy was purchased to enable test flights. On this land runways hangars and maintenance workshops were constructed to create a modern facility. It is reported that this facility was larger than Amsterdam Airport the largest in Europe at the time. This site later became the location of what would be known as Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

The Yeşilköy facility was not only a manufacturing site but also planned as an educational center. Here an aviation and maintenance training institution named “Gök Okulu” was established. The school’s curriculum included both theoretical instruction and practical flight training.

Newspaper Clipping Showing Nuri Demirağ’s Activities (Nuri Demirağ)

Aircraft and Gliders Produced

Between 1936 and 1944 the Nuri Demirağ Aircraft Factory produced two aircraft models and a series of gliders.

The first model Nu.D-36 was a twin-seat single-engine trainer aircraft developed in 1936. It was powered by a 150-horsepower engine operating at 1750 revolutions per minute. Twelve units were produced and the first test flights were conducted by Basri Alev a pilot of the War of Independence. The aircraft could reach a speed of 182 kilometers per hour and had a range of 500 kilometers.

Nu.D 36 Type 5 Aircraft Performing a Demonstration Flight (Nuri Demirağ)

The second model Nu.D-38 was completed in 1938. Designed as a six-seat twin-engine passenger aircraft it had a maximum speed of 271 kilometers per hour and a range of 1000 kilometers. It was also planned to be convertible into a bomber if needed. In 1944 it was certified by international civil aviation authorities as a “Class A passenger aircraft” a classification that represented a high standard by the technological benchmarks of the time.

Construction Stages of the Nu.D 38 (Nuri Demirağ)

In addition to aircraft production in 1939 Türkiye’s first indigenous parachute was manufactured. To secure silk for the parachutes Demirağ planted mulberry trees on his land in Baltalimanı and initiated silk production.

Relationship with the Turkish Aeronautical Association and Legal Proceedings

Shortly after the factory became operational the Turkish Aeronautical Association ordered 65 gliders and 24 trainer aircraft. The gliders were completed and delivered promptly. However disagreements arose over the technical specifications of the trainer aircraft and the Association refused delivery.

During one of the test flights engineer Selahattin Reşit Alan died after crashing into a trench dug around the runway. Following this incident the Turkish Aeronautical Association canceled the entire order. Nuri Demirağ filed a lawsuit based on expert reports confirming that the aircraft had been manufactured according to the contract. However the court ruled in favor of the Turkish Aeronautical Association.

During the same period legal restrictions on aircraft exports came into effect preventing the factory from receiving foreign orders. This situation led to a halt in production and the eventual cessation of operations at the facility.

Gök Okulu and Pilot Training

The Gök Okulu established in Yeşilköy was Türkiye’s first private flight school. Between 1936 and 1943 a total of 290 pilots were trained there. The curriculum included not only flight techniques but also mechanical and engine maintenance courses. Among the students were engineering candidates recruited from Istanbul Technical University. In 1941 the first entirely Turkish-made aircraft was flown from Istanbul to Divriği by pilot Galip Demirağ.

Demirağ’s aviation activities extended beyond aircraft manufacturing to include a training model aimed at producing pilots and technical personnel. This structure contributed to establishing the institutional foundations of civil aviation in Türkiye.

Gök Okulu Student Taking the Graduation Oath (Nuri Demirağ)

Educational Activities and Gök Okulu

Nuri Demirağ did not limit his industrial and aviation efforts to production alone but systematically directed his attention toward education. He believed that for national development to be sustainable it was essential to cultivate a young population with knowledge and technical skills. With this vision he began direct investments in education from the mid-1930s onward.

First he built a secondary school and dormitory in Divriği district of his hometown Sivas. This institution named “Gök Ortaokulu” was the first secondary school established in the region. It was also envisioned as part of the broader educational system Demirağ planned to develop for aviation. A dormitory with 150 beds was constructed to accommodate students. At this educational institution in Divriği all expenses for students were covered and school supplies and books were provided free of charge.

Following this initiative, Nuri Demirağ established a flight and aviation technical school named “Gök Okulu” in the area where the aircraft factory in Yeşilköy was located. The school was the first flight school in Türkiye opened by private enterprise. Operational from 1936 until 1943, its curriculum was designed according to the civil aviation standards of the era. Students received technical instruction in aerodynamics, engine technology, aircraft maintenance, and control systems, alongside theoretical and practical flight training.

The teaching staff of Gök Okulu consisted of expert pilots and engineers from the Turkish Aeronautical Association. The school’s training infrastructure utilized aircraft manufactured in the workshop in Beşiktaş. Students first underwent theoretical instruction and then gained flight experience on the runways of Yeşilköy. Those who successfully completed their training received a “pilot diploma” and became among the first civilian pilots of Turkish aviation.

Students of Gök Okulu Saluting Nuri Demirağ (Nuri Demirağ)

In 1941, one of the school’s graduates, Galip Demirağ, demonstrated the success of the school’s training by flying an entirely Turkish-made aircraft, “Nu.D-36”, from Istanbul to Divriği. This flight was recorded as one of the first long-distance flights conducted by pilots trained by the private sector in Türkiye.

Nuri Demirağ’s educational activities were not limited to aviation. He initiated efforts to establish an “Aircraft Engineering Department” within Istanbul Technical University and advocated for the support of academic development in this field. These educational initiatives reflected his understanding of the relationship between technical knowledge and industrialization.

When considered together, the school in Divriği and Gök Okulu in Yeşilköy reveal that Nuri Demirağ’s approach to education aimed not only at vocational training but also at instilling a sense of national production awareness. Some of the students trained at these schools later took up positions within the Turkish Aeronautical Association and Turkish Airlines, contributing to the aviation sector.

His Thoughts and Maxims

Throughout his life, Nuri Demirağ articulated ideas centered on industry, economy, entrepreneurship, ethics, and the concept of nation. His worldview was closely tied to the economic and social transformations of his time. In the early years of the Republic, he believed industrialization was essential and argued that development could only be achieved through domestic production, technical knowledge, and free enterprise.

From the 1930s onward, in various speeches and writings, he opposed assembly industry and warned that “copying” would delay the nation’s progress. In a statement made in 1936, he declared: “Obtaining licenses from Europe and America to build aircraft is nothing but copying. Licenses are granted for outdated models, while newly invented ones are kept secret with great jealousy. Therefore, if we continue with copying, we will waste time on obsolete designs. Hence, a completely new Turkish aircraft type must be developed to rival the latest systems of Europe and America.”^【2】  This emphasized his insistence on domestic production.

According to Demirağ, a nation’s development was possible not only through capital but also through ideas. He therefore placed great importance on technical knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. His statement, “The Turk must build his own aircraft. Since a nation cannot live without aircraft, it must not wait for this means of survival as a favor from others,”^【3】  encapsulated his vision of independent industry.

Economically, he believed state intervention should be limited. In texts written in the mid-1940s, he asserted that free enterprise was the only path to national development. He argued that statism constrained the country’s economic dynamism and reflected this view in the program of the National Development Party, which he drafted in 1949. That program included principles of liberal economic policy, freedom of production and trade, avoidance of inflation, and preservation of currency value.

Nuri Demirağ also drew attention to his view that personal wealth was a trust belonging to society. In 1947, he stated: “Every personal fortune is a trust held by an individual of the nation. Misusing any trust is a sin.”^【4】  This expressed his understanding of economic ethics. In another speech the same year, he said: “I have always avoided unnecessary expenses, for I never forgot that the money I earned was a deposit entrusted to me by the Turkish nation.”^【5】

He evaluated development not merely as an economic phenomenon but as a moral responsibility. “Great achievements arise from savings made possible by abstaining from luxury and excessive spending,”^【6】  he stated, underscoring that waste and ostentation were incompatible with the ethics of production.

In Nuri Demirağ’s thought, there was a strong connection between technological progress and national identity. With the statement, “Nations that cannot master the skies are condemned to crawl on the ground,”^【7】  he emphasized the importance of independence in defense and industry. He believed that “The Turk is capable of thinking of every useful thing human ingenuity can create for the homeland, acting upon those thoughts, and succeeding.”^【8】  This outlook reflected his confidence in the younger generation and his faith in education as a means of development.

Demirağ’s economic vision contained proposals far ahead of his time. In 1954, he predicted the emergence of a “United Europe” and argued that Türkiye should establish a common economic union with the Islamic world. On this matter, he stated: “We know they forced us into NATO. Tomorrow, our religion, traditions, and culture cannot help us join any European union. Our only salvation lies in establishing an Islamic and Eastern Union.”^【9】

These ideas reflect a perspective that extends beyond economics, framing international cooperation on cultural foundations. Nuri Demirağ viewed technological progress, social morality, and national solidarity as inseparable concepts.

Political Activities

In addition to his economic and industrial endeavors, Nuri Demirağ played an active role in political life. During the mid-1940s, as Türkiye transitioned from single-party rule to a multi-party system, he entered the political arena. His criticisms of the state-led economic model and single-party governance were decisive in his shift toward politics.

Celal Bayar and Nuri Demirağ (Nuri Demirağ)

Founding of the National Development Party

In 1945, Nuri Demirağ founded the National Development Party (NDP), one of Türkiye’s first opposition parties. The party was officially established on 18 July 1945 and holds a special place in Turkish political history as the first legal opposition party formed outside the Republican People’s Party.

The party’s program included principles such as economic liberalism, free enterprise, entrepreneurial freedom, and limiting the state’s role in the economy. Nuri Demirağ argued that the state should not direct economic activity but rather oversee it. The party’s name, “National Development,” reflected his emphasis on industry and development.

The National Development Party also aimed to contribute to the establishment of a democratic culture. Its bylaws included provisions for the protection of individual rights and freedoms, judicial independence, equal opportunity in education, press freedom, and the expansion of the right to vote and stand for election.

Political Stance and Electoral Activities

While emphasizing the principle of “free enterprise for national development” in its program, Nuri Demirağ argued that state-led economic activities were inefficient. He contended that the policies of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) had created monopolies in economic life. In his speeches during this period, he asserted that state intervention weakened the spirit of enterprise and blocked economic progress.

The party participated in the 1946 general elections. However, due to the open-ballot and secret-tabulation voting system and the simultaneous founding of the Democrat Party, the National Development Party failed to gain the expected support. Nevertheless, it played a significant role in Türkiye’s transition to multi-party politics. The party continued to exist for approximately twelve years before being dissolved.

After the 1946 elections, internal disagreements and leadership problems emerged within the National Development Party. In addition to internal conflicts, indifference from the press and bureaucracy further diminished its influence. After Nuri Demirağ’s death in 1957, the party’s assembly never convened again, and its activities ceased.

Democrat Party Era and Parliamentary Service

As the influence of the National Development Party waned, Nuri Demirağ continued his political career in the 1954 elections as a candidate for the Democrat Party from Sivas. During this period, he expressed his views on industrial and transportation projects through parliamentary work. However, he did not assume any executive position during his term as a member of parliament.

Core Principles of His Political Views

Nuri Demirağ’s political views were grounded in an understanding of economic independence and democratic governance. He believed that politics and economics could not be separated; without a strong economy, national independence could not be sustained. Therefore, he argued that development could only be achieved through free enterprise and entrepreneurial freedom.

At the heart of the party’s policies were individual freedoms, priority for domestic industry in production, a free market system, and impartiality in the justice mechanism. These principles demonstrate a direct link between his identity as an entrepreneur and his political outlook.

Nuri Demirağ’s political activities contributed to the institutionalization of multi-party politics in Türkiye and served as a model for subsequent opposition parties.

Visionary Projects and Forecasts

Nuri Demirağ attracted attention not only through his engineering and industrial work but also through his forward-looking projects and forecasts. During the early years of the Republic, he advocated prioritizing modern infrastructure and industrial investments for Türkiye’s development and developed numerous technical and economic projects. Although some of his proposals could not be implemented due to the conditions of the time, similar initiatives were later adopted in Türkiye’s development plans.

Bosphorus Bridge Project

In 1931, he initiated studies for a bridge across the Bosphorus to enable road and rail transport. After four years of research and analysis, he collaborated with the American firm “Bethlehem Steel Company.” The project was designed using the same system as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and planned to span a 2,000-meter opening.

In 1934, he presented his completed project dossier to President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who approved and supported the plan. However, the Minister of Public Works at the time, Ali Çetinkaya, refused to approve construction, arguing that the bridge would spoil the Bosphorus’s appearance. Despite this, Nuri Demirağ remained committed to the idea, declaring: “Istanbul needs this bridge; if I do not build it, I will leave it to my children.”^【10】

This project is regarded as one of the earliest examples in Türkiye of private capital financing infrastructure investment. Nuri Demirağ proposed funding the bridge from his own resources rather than through the state budget, thus anticipating a financial model similar to today’s “Build-Operate-Transfer” system.

Keban Dam and Energy Planning

In 1933, he proposed the construction of the Keban Dam on the Euphrates River to generate electricity. This proposal aimed to reduce Türkiye’s dependence on foreign energy sources. Nuri Demirağ submitted his draft plan to authorities of the time; however, due to insufficient technical capabilities, the project could not be implemented. The idea was later incorporated into the state’s energy planning in the 1960s and realized with the completion of the Keban Dam in 1974.

Airport and Aviation Infrastructure Projects

Nuri Demirağ believed aviation held strategic importance for Türkiye’s defense and development. Therefore, he was not only involved in aircraft manufacturing but also in establishing aviation infrastructure. The runway and hangars he built in Yeşilköy were planned on a modern airport scale. In 1938, he founded the “Gök Okulu” (Sky School) there and initiated pilot training programs. He also commissioned the construction of an airport in Divriği, his hometown in Sivas. This airport is recognized as Türkiye’s first provincial airport built through private initiative.

Ideas on European and Islamic Unions

Nuri Demirağ expressed forward-looking views not only on technical and economic matters but also on international relations. In the 1950s, anticipating the formation of a union among European states, he stated that the idea of a “United Europe” would become a political reality. In contrast, he argued that Türkiye should not orient itself exclusively toward the West and proposed establishing an economic and cultural union among Islamic countries. His statement, “They forced us into NATO; yet our salvation lies in establishing an Islamic and Eastern Union,”^【11】 reflects this perspective.

Social and Urban Projects

Nuri Demirağ’s projects also included initiatives to improve social life. He restored historic fountains in various cities and commissioned the construction of 43 new fountains. In urban planning, he emphasized the importance of green spaces and modern transportation networks and prepared reports on Istanbul’s development plan. In these reports, he advocated integrating air traffic, maritime transport, and road networks within the city.

Forecasts in Technology and Transportation

Nuri Demirağ foresaw that technological advances would transform not only industry but also social life. In his speeches during the 1940s, he asserted that humanity would one day unite around the concept of “one world, one state.”^【12】 This idea reflects his approach of linking technology with international peace and cooperation.

Although these visionary projects of his never found opportunities for implementation, they shaped Türkiye’s subsequent development and infrastructure policies. In particular, projects such as the Bosphorus Bridge and the Keban Dam are recognized as precursors to similar state-led investments carried out years later.

Death and Legacy

Nuri Demirağ died in Istanbul on 13 November 1957. His funeral, attended by prominent politicians, engineers, and students of the era, was held at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. He had eight children—two sons and six daughters—with his wife, Mesude Hanım. His death also symbolized the end of the pioneering era of private-sector industrial and aerospace initiatives in Türkiye.

Following his death, Nuri Demirağ’s initiatives were largely forgotten by public memory for some time; however, beginning in the 1980s, his activities in aviation and industry were revisited and reevaluated. Particularly in the 2000s, as debates on domestic industry and national production reemerged, his name regained prominence.

Divriği Airfield and Revival of His Memory

The Divriği Airfield, constructed by Nuri Demirağ in the 1940s, remained unused for decades. In 2021, after an 84-year hiatus, aircraft landings were resumed at the airfield. This development rekindled public recognition of his contributions to domestic aviation.

In Divriği district of Sivas, various events are held annually to commemorate his life and work. The area where the airfield is located has been officially named the “Nuri Demirağ Aviation Area” by local authorities. Additionally, several educational institutions and cultural centers established in Sivas bear his name.

Aerospace Legacy

The “Nu.D-36” and “Nu.D-38” aircraft produced by Nuri Demirağ are recognized as the first examples of domestically designed aircraft in Turkish aviation history. Some components and blueprints of these aircraft have been preserved to this day. In 2019, during an event organized by Teknofest, Teknopark Istanbul exhibited a simulation project of the Nu.D-36 model, reintroducing Nuri Demirağ’s aircraft to the public.

This project exemplifies the convergence of Nuri Demirağ’s vision for domestic production and engineering with modern technology. Simultaneously, his philosophy of “national invention against imitation” has become a frequently cited principle in Türkiye’s defense industry and aerospace projects.

Institutionalization of His Memory and Academic Research

In recent years, numerous academic studies have been conducted on Demirağ’s activities in industry, entrepreneurship, and politics. These studies examine his economic ideas, his identity as an entrepreneur within a macro-institutional context, and the role of the National Development Party in Türkiye’s transition to multi-party politics.

At symposia held at universities and industrial organizations, Nuri Demirağ’s ideas are evaluated within the framework of the “national development model,” and his approach to engineering and entrepreneurship is regarded as one of the pivotal turning points in the history of industrialization during the Republican era.

Social and Cultural Impact

Nuri Demirağ was one of the rare figures who undertook large-scale projects through private enterprise in the early years of the Republic. His work significantly contributed to enhancing the social prestige of engineering and industrial entrepreneurship in Türkiye. His school and airfield projects in Divriği also advanced technical education in rural regions.

Although Türkiye’s aviation sector experienced a prolonged period of stagnation after his death, Demirağ’s initiatives later served as a source of inspiration for new ventures in the field. Today, his name is invoked as a symbol of domestic production, technology-based industrialization, and entrepreneurial spirit.