Rebuilding the Genius Machines

FIRST KITES. THEN GLIDERS. FINALLY, A POWERED PLANE.


1900
From biplane kites the Wrights graduate to gliders. During their first trip to Kitty Hawk, they fly a homemade biplane glider with a 17-foot wingspan. Back in Dayton, they draw up plans for a larger glider with better controls and landing gear.

1901
The brothers build the largest glider ever-a 100-pound monster with a 22-foot wingspan-but it performs poorly at Kitty Hawk. Though close to despair, upon returning to Dayton they build a wind tunnel to find out what they have been doing wrong.

1902
Data gleaned from their wind tunnel tests enable the Wrights to build a glider with precision controls. Cables bend the wings for turns and a rudder makes it possible to steer. The brothers are now convinced they can build a powered plane.

1903
On December 17 at 10:35 a.m., Orville flies a 605-pound plane, equipped with two rear-mounted propellers and powered by a 12-hp engine, for about 120 feet in 12 seconds-the first successful powered flight in history.

1908-1909
The Wrights finally begin demonstrating their planes in public and become world famous. Below, Wilbur shows King Alfonso XIII of Spain the controls in Pau, France. Borrowing heavily from the Wrights, European aviators start building their own planes.

1911
A Wright brothers plane called the Vin Fizz (after its soft drink sponsor) becomes the first to fly across the country, completing the trip in 84 days with 70 stops.