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The history of innovation and invention is comprised of pieces of a puzzle. Only when all the pieces are fitted together does an idea emerge and become manifested. Such is the circumstances of the discovery of flight by the brothers, Wilber and Orville Wright. If one piece of the puzzle had been missing, the invention and science of flight may have lain undiscovered for many years.
Early Influences of the Brothers Wright
Wilbur, the older brother, was born in Indiana in 1867. Orville was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1871. Though they were only two of five children born to a church bishop and his wife, the two were endlessly curious and complemented with each other. Wilbur was mature, practical and persevering. Orville was enthusiastic and constantly churning out new ideas. Their chemistry was a perfect storm for inventiveness. They were inseparable throughout their lives.
As children, their father presented them with a toy resembling a helicopter. It was something that had an early influence on their interest in flight. They later tried to make a larger version but were unsuccessful.
As adults, the two started their own newspaper, creating their own printing press. Later, bicycles became popular and they began their own bicycle shop. Between the two mechanical projects, they had the foundation for creating the mechanics of flight.
The Natural Place for Experiments
As their interest in flying grew, they realized they needed a windy, rural place to continue their experiments. After consulting with the U.S. Weather Bureau, they decided their best option was the wind-swept dunes of Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Their first trip there was in September, 1900. During subsequent trips, they worked with kites and wing designs. Based on information they gathered from experiments between 1900 and 1903, they built their aircraft complete with engine and propeller.
The Last Piece of the Puzzle
On December 17, 1903, with the strong, constant winds of the Atlantic blowing across the Kill Devil dunes, Orville Wright left the ground and flew across the landscape for 12 seconds. Later visits increased their flight time to over five minutes.
A granite monument now stands at Kill Devil Hills, commemorating the Wright brothers’ achievement. A museum chronicles the event with papers, photographs and a replica of the original Wright Plane. The historic dunes still draw hang glider enthusiasts to soar above the sands where powered, human flight first took place. Find Kill Devil Hills hotels and visit this historic landmark for your next vacation!
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