Let's begin with a bit of history...The first flight of a self-propelled heavier-than-air machine by the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903 ranks among the greatest technological achievements in history and fulfilled man's age-old dream of flying. Though their first flight lasted only 12 seconds and traveled just 120 feet - and the longest of their three other flights on the same day covered just 852 feet and lasted only 59 seconds - Orville and Wilbur Wright permanently established their notable place in history.
Beginning in 1900, the Wright Brothers traveled from their homes in Dayton, Ohio to the sand dunes of North Carolina's Outer Banks. They found the area's isolation, near constant winds and lack of vegetation the perfect environment for their design work and flight testing. Between 1900 and 1902, the brothers tested a series of gliders to perfect their wing design and flight controls, as well as develop their piloting skills.
Wright Brothers (Wilbur left, Orville right), Circa 1909
(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)Once the brothers felt they had created a successful design for a non-powered fully-controllable aircraft, they turned their attentions to creating a propulsion system - an engine, a transmission and a propeller. The spring and summer of 1903 found the brothers in Ohio and hard at work on the needed system. They developed an engine that could generate 12 horsepower (above the minimum of 8 horsepower they had determined was necessary), built two 8-foot propellers and devised a chain-and-sprocket transmission that was based on their experience with bicycles.
In September 1903, Orville and Wilbur left Ohio for Kitty Hawk , NC with the goal of making a powered flight by the end of the year. Once in NC, they set about building a launching rail for their new Flyer. Though they encountered multiple technical setbacks and weather-related issues, they were ready to attempt a flight on December 14th. Wilbur won a coin toss to be the one to make the first attempt. Unfortunately for him, the Flyer did not successfully navigate the launching rail and was damaged slightly when it hit the surrounding sand. Three days later, on December 17th, after repairs were completed, another attempt was made. This time, Orville was at the controls and the rest, as it is said, is history.
Wright Brothers' First Flight
(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)Wright Brothers National Monument - Kill Devil Hills, NC
(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)Historical Note: The Wright Brothers' first flight is often stated to have taken place at Kitty Hawk -- this is incorrect. The first flight occurred about four miles away in an unnamed/unincorporated area that is today known as Kill Devil Hills.In Part II of this story, I explore the Wright Brothers' 2003 coins and there journey through the US Congress. See it here:
2003 First Flight Centennial - Part II / Coin Program 
Posted 09/04/2024 12:41 pm
