Orville and Wilbur Wright

First to achieve a self-powered, heavier-than-air, controlled flight

Artist: Robert B. Williams

Wilbur Wright was born in Millville, IN in 1867 and Orville, Dayton, OH, 1871. In childhood, they built small mechanical toys and then a large printing press where they published, the next year, the West Side news in Dayton. Then they opened a bike shop in 1892. Around this time is when they got interested in aviation.

The Wrights made their own gliders and made many test flights. In Sep. 1900, on top of Big Kill Devil Hill in Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, NC. Then in Dec. 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, they set loose a 274 kg. (605 lb.) 12 horsepower flying machine, making the first aircraft flight, lasting 12 sec. and covering 120 ft. with Orville in the pilot's seat. Then Wilbur made another 1 sec. flight that stretched 175 ft. Orville made his second and last one take 15 sec. and go about 200. ft, and lastly, but absolutely not least, the 59 sec., 852 ft. flight by Wilbur that crash landed.

The Wright Brothers and the first successful airplane inspired many to build airplanes and eventually, look! It's the Space Shuttle! I think they got interested in because they were bike repair boys and knew a bunch of mechanics. Their success told others that,"You can do it! You can do it!" and I think it really worked.