Wright Brothers Take Their First Flight
The Telegram sent home after the success of the Wright's first flight, December 17th. (2)
Wilbur and Orville Wright's First Flight
December 17, 1903
Starting in 1899, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright had been experimenting with different concepts of flight. It was difficult to travel during those times and they didn't have the internet to help them select the ideal location for the flight trials. They needed a place that provided regular hills, wind, and sand (to provide a soft landing) for their attempts. By using the United States Weather Bureau to guide them, the Wright brothers found Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They had performed many glider studies in North Carolina at the Outer Banks. This led them down their path to discovery. During the glider experiments, the Wright brothers had solved the problem of sustained lift and they were able to control an aircraft in flight.
Orville piloted the first flight, which lasted 12 seconds on December 17, 1903. The engine was called a piston engine and only had 12 horsepower. A 12 horsepower engine today would be about the size you would find in a riding lawn mower. They completed four flights, and on the fourth and final flight of the day, Wilbur flew for 59 seconds. It was that day they became the first to demonstrate sustained flight of a heavier-than-air machine under the complete control of the pilot.
Orville and Wilbur Wright sent a telegram to their father: "Success four flights Thursday morning all against twenty one mile wind started from level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty one miles longest 57 seconds inform Press home Christmas." This began the recognition of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and the "First in Flight" phenomena.
The world and aviation was about to change forever. The Wright brothers are an example of how to work hard to achieve your dreams.
December 17, 1903
Starting in 1899, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright had been experimenting with different concepts of flight. It was difficult to travel during those times and they didn't have the internet to help them select the ideal location for the flight trials. They needed a place that provided regular hills, wind, and sand (to provide a soft landing) for their attempts. By using the United States Weather Bureau to guide them, the Wright brothers found Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They had performed many glider studies in North Carolina at the Outer Banks. This led them down their path to discovery. During the glider experiments, the Wright brothers had solved the problem of sustained lift and they were able to control an aircraft in flight.
Orville piloted the first flight, which lasted 12 seconds on December 17, 1903. The engine was called a piston engine and only had 12 horsepower. A 12 horsepower engine today would be about the size you would find in a riding lawn mower. They completed four flights, and on the fourth and final flight of the day, Wilbur flew for 59 seconds. It was that day they became the first to demonstrate sustained flight of a heavier-than-air machine under the complete control of the pilot.
Orville and Wilbur Wright sent a telegram to their father: "Success four flights Thursday morning all against twenty one mile wind started from level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty one miles longest 57 seconds inform Press home Christmas." This began the recognition of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and the "First in Flight" phenomena.
The world and aviation was about to change forever. The Wright brothers are an example of how to work hard to achieve your dreams.
CITATIONS:
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). 1903-the first flight.
Retrieved from website:
http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/historyculture/thefirstflight.htm
Photo Credits:
1. Daniels , J. T. (Photographer). (1903, December 17). Original Wright Brothers 1903 Aeroplane
[Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/?dod-date=1217
2. Wright, O. (Photographer). (1903, December 17). Telegram, Orville Wright to Milton Wright, December 17, 1903 [Print Photo].
Retrieved from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wrighthtml/wrighthigh4.html
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). 1903-the first flight.
Retrieved from website:
http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/historyculture/thefirstflight.htm
Photo Credits:
1. Daniels , J. T. (Photographer). (1903, December 17). Original Wright Brothers 1903 Aeroplane
[Print Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/?dod-date=1217
2. Wright, O. (Photographer). (1903, December 17). Telegram, Orville Wright to Milton Wright, December 17, 1903 [Print Photo].
Retrieved from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/wrighthtml/wrighthigh4.html