Early Life and Inspiration

Wilbur and Orville Wright were two American brothers who changed the world with their invention of the first successful airplane. Wilbur was born in 1867 in Indiana, and Orville followed in 1871 in Ohio. They grew up in a home that valued learning and creativity. Their father gave them a toy helicopter powered by rubber bands, which sparked their interest in flying. As they got older, the brothers started a printing business and later opened a bicycle shop, where they learned a lot about mechanics.

Studying Flight

In the late 1800s, many people were trying to figure out how to fly, but no one had succeeded. The Wright brothers carefully studied birds and read books and articles about flight. They built and tested gliders, learning how to control them. One of their biggest ideas was figuring out how to steer an aircraft. They invented a system called "wing-warping" to help a plane turn smoothly in the air.

First Flight

After years of testing, the Wright brothers built a powered airplane called the Wright Flyer. On December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville flew the plane for 12 seconds. It was the first time in history a heavier-than-air machine flew under its own power with a pilot aboard. They made four flights that day, with the longest lasting 59 seconds.

First Flight

Changing the World

After their success, the Wright brothers continued to improve their airplanes. They made longer and higher flights, showed their invention to the world, and started their own airplane company. Their work led to the creation of the modern aviation industry, which connects people and countries all over the globe.

Take a Virtual Field Trip to the Wright Brothers National Memorial

Legacy

Wilbur died in 1912, but Orville lived until 1948. Today, the Wright brothers are remembered as pioneers of flight. Their invention opened up a new era of travel, exploration, and innovation. Museums around the world honor their achievements, and their first airplane is displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Discussion Questions

1. What inspired the Wright brothers to explore flight?
2. How did their experience running a bicycle shop help them build airplanes?
3. Why was "wing-warping" an important breakthrough in aviation?
4. How did the Wright brothers' invention impact the modern world?

Glossary

• Glider: A light aircraft that flies without an engine.
• Wing-warping: A technique used to control a plane by twisting its wings.
• Aviation: The design, development, and use of aircraft.
• Pioneers: People who are among the first to explore or develop something new.
• Heavier-than-air: Aircraft that are not buoyant like balloons and must generate lift to fly.

Four Interesting Facts

• The Wright brothers were inspired by a toy helicopter their father gave them.
• They ran a bicycle shop before inventing the airplane.
• Their first flight lasted only 12 seconds, but it changed history.
• The original Wright Flyer is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.