Collection Overview
The Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers at the Library of Congress document the lives of the Wright Brothers and their work to develop the first powered and controlled aircraft. Included within this collection are their scrapbooks, images of their activities, diaries, drawings and letters from a variety of people including their mentor Octave Chanute, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and Alexander Graham Bell.
Special Features
These online exhibits provide context and additional information about this collection.
- "The Belief that Flight is Possible to Man"
- Collection Highlights
- Photography and the Wright Brothers
- Wilbur and Orville Wright Timeline
- Wright Family Tree
Historical Eras
These historical era(s) are best represented in the collection although they may not be all-encompassing.
- Development of the Industrial United States, 1876-1915
- Emergence of Modern America, 1890-1930
Related Collections and Exhibits
These collections and exhibits contain thematically-related primary and secondary sources. Also browse the Collection Finder for more related material on the American Memory Web site.
- Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers at the Library of Congress
- Samuel Morse Papers at the Library of Congress
Other Resources
Recommended additional sources of information.
Search Tips
Specific guidance for searching this collection
Search the collection using the keyword search, or browse the Series index. For help with search words, go to the Synonym List. For help with search strategies, see Finding Items in American Memory.
Last Updated: 06/30/2009