The Wright BrothersThe Wright BrothersHow they invented the AirplaneHow they invented the Airplane

By Russell FreedmanBy Russell Freedman

Orville WrightOrville Wright

Born: August 19,1871- Died: January 30,1948Born: August 19,1871- Died: January 30,1948

Job/Occupation: printer/publisher, bicycle retailer/manufacturer, airplane Job/Occupation: printer/publisher, bicycle retailer/manufacturer, airplane inventor/manufacturer, pilot trainerinventor/manufacturer, pilot trainer

Spouse: noneSpouse: none

Orville Wright’s signature and picture

Wilbur WrightWilbur Wright

Born: April 16,1867- Died: May 30,1912Born: April 16,1867- Died: May 30,1912

Job/Occupation: editor, bicycle retailer/manufacturer, airplane Job/Occupation: editor, bicycle retailer/manufacturer, airplane inventor/manufacturer, pilot trainerinventor/manufacturer, pilot trainer

Spouse: noneSpouse: none

Wilbur Wright’s signature and picture

SummarySummary

Orville And Wilbur Wright invented and built the world's first successful Orville And Wilbur Wright invented and built the world's first successful airplane and made the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-airplane and made the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903. Two years afterward, than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903. Two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible.fixed-wing powered flight possible.

The first man in controlled flight