The Wright Flyer

In designing and piloting the world’s first powered flying machine, Wilbur and Orville Wright became the first to turn mankind’s dreams into a reality. Their fascination for flight had begun in childhood and as adults they had watched as other pioneers tried, and failed, to master the skies. Wilbur believed that a lack of proper control was their downfall and set out to solve the issue. He hit upon wing-warping, using control wires to twist the wings and turn the machine. The brothers then began testing glider designs, adding an elevator to control pitch and finally mastering yaw with a vertical rudder. Their 1902 glider featured the very first three-axis control system, which remains an essential element of every modern aircraft. And with the addition of a small engine and two propellers, their remarkable 1903 Wright Flyer became the first machine to finally conquer the air.