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The Wright Brothers First Heavier-than-air Flight

The Wright Brothers First Heavier-than-air Flight


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The Wright Brothers First Heavier-than-air Flight

On December 17, 1903, at 10:30 am at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, this airplane arose for a few seconds to make the first powered, heavier-than-air controlled flight in history. The first flight lasted 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet. Orville Wright piloted the historic flight while his brother, Wilbur, observed. The brothers took three other flights that day, each flight lasting longer than the other with the final flight going a distance of 852 feet in 59 seconds. This flight was the culmination of a number of years of research on gliders.
Orville and Wilbur Wrights curiosity with flight began in 1878 when their father, Milton, gave them a rubber band powered toy helicopter. Although they were never formally educated, the self-taught engineers constantly experimented with kites and gliders. Bicycle shop owners by occupation, the brothers spent years designing, testing and redesigning their gliders and planes. After the successful flights of December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur continued to perfect their plane. In 1909 the Army Signal Corps purchased a Wright Flyer, creating the first military airplane. Although Wilbur passed away May 30, 1912, from typhoid fever, Orville remained an active promoter of aviation until his death on January 30, 1948.
The Air Age truly began with that historic flight on December 17, 1903. In 1908 the Wright Brothers designed the first military aircraft for the Army Signal Corps. Seven years later, in 1915, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) became the nations leading aviation research organization, of which Orville was a member for 28 years. As the airplane became more aerodynamic and technically advanced, its uses expanded into many different directions. Military aircraft played significant roles in both World War I and World War II. The airplane made worldwide travel and exploration possible. Spaceflight would never have been realized without the pioneering achievements of the Wright Brothers

Space Image feature a selection of NASA's incredible imagery

Media ID 634582

© NASA

First Flight Kitty Hawk Orville Wright Wilbur Wright


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the monumental moment in history when the Wright Brothers achieved the first powered, heavier-than-air controlled flight. On December 17,1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville Wright piloted this groundbreaking airplane while his brother Wilbur observed with awe and anticipation. In just 12 seconds, the aircraft soared for a distance of 120 feet, marking an extraordinary achievement born out of years of relentless research and experimentation by these self-taught engineers. The brothers' insatiable curiosity with flight began in their childhood when their father gifted them a rubber band powered toy helicopter. As bicycle shop owners by trade, they dedicated countless hours to perfecting their gliders and planes. Following this historic flight, Orville and Wilbur continued to refine their invention until it caught the attention of the Army Signal Corps in 1909. This marked a significant milestone as it became the first military aircraft ever purchased. The impact of this breakthrough extended far beyond that day on Kitty Hawk's sandy dunes. In subsequent years, aviation evolved rapidly as more aerodynamic advancements were made. Military aircraft played pivotal roles during both World Wars while enabling global travel and exploration like never before. Orville remained an influential figure in aviation until his passing in 1948. His dedication led him to become a member of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which spearheaded aviation research for nearly three decades. Undoubtedly, this iconic flight on December 17th ushered in what we now know as the Air Age – forever changing humanity's relationship with transportation and paving the way for remarkable achievements such as spaceflight.

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