The first successful flights of a powered, heavier-than-air flying machine were invented and achieved by the Wright brothers.
The Birth of the Aerial Age
According to the National Air and Space Museum, the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, are credited with inaugurating the aerial age. Their pioneering work led to the creation of the world's first successful powered aircraft.
- Inventors: Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
- Aircraft Name: The Wright Flyer
- Year of First Successful Flights: 1903
Their invention, known as the 1903 Wright Flyer, was the culmination of extensive effort. The brothers conducted a sophisticated four-year program of research and development. This rigorous process began in 1899 and ultimately resulted in the historic flights that changed transportation and history forever.
| Inventors | Aircraft | Significance | Research Start Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright Brothers (Wilbur and Orville) | 1903 Wright Flyer | World's first successful powered heavier-than-air flying machine flights | 1899 |
Their groundbreaking achievement marked the first time a controlled, sustained flight by a powered aircraft was successfully performed. This laid the foundation for modern aviation as we know it.
- Source: Information is based on the description of the 1903 Wright Flyer | National Air and Space Museum.
