The Wright Brothers And Their Historic Flights

Orville and Wilbur Wright are credited as the first men who built an aircraft capable of manned controlled flight. The first manned flight by airplane (powered, controlled and heavier than air) occurred on  December 17, 1903,  when Orville flew at 120 feet (37 m) over the ground for 12 seconds, at a speed of only 6.8 miles per hour (10.9 km/h). 

The Wright brothers worked fundamentally different from other manned flight pioneers of their time. While others concentrated on fitting stronger engines and making more tests, Orville and Wilbur preferred to tackle on aerodynamics instead. The brothers built their own wind tunnel and extensively carried out aerodynamic tests. This eventually lead to the advent of the three-axis control system: wing-warping for roll (lateral motion), forward elevator for pitch (up and down) and rear rudder for yaw (side to side). This was indispensable for the pilot to have control and thus both better flight performance and avoid accidents which were so often at the time.

Some scholars agree that the 1902 glider was the most revolutionary aircraft ever created and the real embodiment of the genius of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Although the addition of a power plant to their 1903 Flyer resulted in their famous first flight, some scholars regard that improvement as a noteworthy addition to something that was truly a work of genius – the 1902 glider.

Here's some amazing photographs featuring the Wright brothers and their creations – various historical flights like the very first take off at Kitty Hawk, model gliders including 1902 and 1903 versions, mid-air shots and other fantastic vintage relics that tell of a time just a century ago when people daring to fly were labeled as mad.

Here's a collectible photograph of Crumpled glider wrecked by the wind on Hill of the Wreck (named after a shipwreck). It was created in 1900.

 Here's a photo of Left side view of glider flying as a kite, in level flight, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Orville at left wing end of upended glider, bottom view; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was made in 1901.

An impressive image of Rear view of flight 46, Orville turning to the left; Huffman Prairie, Dayton, Ohio.

Here's an aesthetic picture of A glide with the double-rudder machine moving to the left, north slope of Big Kill Devil Hill. It was created in 1902.

Here we present a stunning image of Katharine Wright, wearing a leather jacket, cap, and goggles, aboard the Wright Model HS airplane with Orville. It was taken in 1915.

Wilbur and Orville assembling the 1903 machine in the new camp building at Kill Devil Hills. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was taken in 1903.

Here's an old picture of First flight, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10:35 a.m.; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was created in 1903.Orville Wright is at the controls of the machine, lying prone on the lower wing with hips in the cradle which operated the wing-warping mechanism. Wilbur Wright running alongside to balance the machine, has just released his hold on the forward upright of the right wing. The starting rail, the wing-rest, a coil box, and other items needed for flight preparation are visible behind the machine.

You are viewing an impressive image of Wilbur Wright in prone position in damaged flying machine on ground after unsuccessful trial of December 14, 1903; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was taken in 1903.

Wilbur in motion at left holding one end of glider (rebuilt with single vertical rudder), Orville lying prone in machine, and Dan Tate at right; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was taken in 1902.

Wright Brothers Glider in mid flight. It was made in 1911.