Orville and Wilbur Wright's achievements in the development of powered flight are unparalleled. The Wright brothers, two American inventors who became household names, ushered in a revolutionary new era in transportation and forever changed the face of aviation.

Imaginings of Takeoff

When the Wright brothers were young, their interest in flight was sparked by a toy helicopter given to them by their father. A lifelong interest was ignited by this token of appreciation. They were avid fans of the era's aviation research, especially Otto Lilienthal's gliding experiments, when they were young people.

First aviators to use propellers

Key advances in aviation were accomplished by the Wright brothers in the early 20th century. They worked out a way for the pilot to control the plane on three different axes simultaneously. This development was a major milestone on the road to creating the first functional airplane.

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was the site of the historic first flight by the Wright brothers on December 17, 1903. The first continuous powered flight was piloted by Orville. The Flyer was a biplane that could cover more than 40 feet in the air. Its 12-second flight covered 120 feet and changed the course of human history.

Creative Thinkers with Dogged Wills

The Wright brothers' accomplishments were made possible by their creative thinking and tenacious persistence. They not only invented cutting-edge gadgets, but also developed the ideas behind them. The brothers' hands-on approach and determination to persevere in the face of adversity were crucial to the success of their wind tunnel and engines.

Aircraft Industry Legacies

The Wright brothers' impact on flying goes far beyond their groundbreaking innovation. Despite criticism and rivalry, they persisted in developing and refining new and improved designs. Their dogged dedication to improvement laid the groundwork for contemporary aviation.