Kitty Hawk History
Wilbur and Orville Wright's Flyer was the first modern airplane. On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the brothers flew the first heavier-than-air machine in a powered, controlled, and sustained flight. The Flyer, constructed of wood, wire, and muslin, completed four successful flights that day with the longest covering 859 feet in 59 seconds. It was a tremendous effort, coming after four years of aeronautics experiments that the Wright Brothers started with a kite. Returning to Dayton, Ohio, it would take another two years and two more designs before the first, practical airplane was invented.
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Curator:
Dave Mazza
Responsible Official:
Tom Benson