America's first practical helicopter, it pioneered the single main rotor concept that became the predominant helicopter configuration throughout the world. The principles that were developed and demonstrated by the VS-300 had direct application in the design of the early mass-production helicopter, marking the beginning of the world's rotorcraft industry.

The initial flight of the VS-300 was piloted by its designer, Igor I. Sikorsky (1889-1972), on September 14, 1939, in Stratford, Connecticut.