On December 17, 1903, a pair of inventors from Ohio named Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the world's first airplane. The invention, known as the Wright Flyer, took to the skies for 12 seconds, flying a distance of 120 feet. Though only five people were there to witness the flight, the invention would eventually become one of the most important of the twentieth century – one that would unite people throughout the United States and the world.

Inventors Orville and Wilbur Wright took a great interest in flight and invention from an early age. Running a successful bicycle business afforded the Wright brothers enough income to follow their dream of inventing a flying machine.

What began with the design and flight of kites, soon moved into gliders and then more elaborate aircraft inventions. Relying mostly on trial and error, the Wright brothers eventually designed a powered airplane with a 12-horsepower engine.

After their successful flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C. (an area chosen based on its weather patterns), Orville and Wilbur Wright went on to develop their invention into the first practical airplane. They obtained a patent in 1906, started their own business (the Wright Company) and began building and selling more sophisticated airplanes.

The Wright brothers' invention is so technically and culturally significant that the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., keeps the Wright Flyer on permanent display.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orville and Wilbur Wright

Who were Orville and Wilbur Wright?

Orville and Wilbur Wright were American brothers and inventors who are best known for building and flying the first successful powered airplane. Their work helped start the age of modern aviation.

What did the Wright brothers invent?

They developed the first practical, controlled powered airplane. Their Flyer was the first machine capable of sustained, controlled flight powered by an engine.

When did they make their first flight?

The Wright brothers made their historic first flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This flight stayed in the air longer and was more controlled than earlier attempts by others.

Why was their airplane important?

Before their work, people had tried to build flying machines, but none had succeeded in sustained, powered, controlled flight. The Wright Flyer demonstrated that humans could travel through the air under their own control, which changed transportation forever.

How did they achieve flight?

The brothers studied bird flight, built their own wind tunnel to test wing shapes, and developed a lightweight engine and control system. They focused on controlling the aircraft so a pilot could steer and balance it in flight.

Did they have formal engineering training?

Neither brother had formal college engineering degrees. They were self-taught students of mechanics and aeronautics. Their success came from careful experimentation, observation, and hands-on work.

Where did the Wright brothers do their experiments?

They did much of their early work in Dayton, Ohio, and tested their gliders and powered Flyer near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, because of the strong winds and open space.

Why are they featured together?

Wilbur and Orville worked as a team. They planned, built, and tested their flying machines together, and both played essential roles in the success of their invention.

What impact did their work have?

Their breakthrough made rapid advances in aviation possible. Within a few years, other inventors and engineers built on their success, leading to the airplanes and air travel systems we use today.

How long did their first flight last?

Their longest flight on that first day lasted just under a minute, but it proved that controlled, powered flight was achievable.

Why is their first flight remembered as a major event?

It showed the world that humans could build a machine that flew under power and could be controlled. That marked the start of practical aviation and eventually led to commercial and military aircraft.

How can I learn more about the Wright brothers?

You can read history books about early flight, visit aviation museums, watch documentaries, or explore online resources that explain the steps they took and how their work influenced modern aircraft.

For more information on inventors Orville and Wilbur Wright and their airplane invention, please visit:

Time 100: The Wright Brothers

Inventors of the Week: Orville and Wilbur Wright

Wright Brothers & the Invention of the Aerial Age