The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948)
and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were
two American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers who were credited with inventing and building the
world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled,
powered and sustained heavier-than-air human
flight, on December 17, 1903. From 1905 to 1907, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft.
Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright
brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing
powered flight possible.
The
brothers' fundamental breakthrough was their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the
pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method became standard and
remains standard on fixed-wing aircraft of all kinds. From the beginning of
their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on developing a reliable
method of pilot control as the key to solving "the flying problem".
This approach differed significantly from other experimenters of the time who
put more emphasis on developing powerful engines. Using a small home built wind tunnel, the Wrights also collected
more accurate data than any before, enabling them to design and build wings and
propellers that were more efficient than any before. Their first U.S. patent,
821,393, did not claim invention of a flying machine, but rather, the invention
of a system of aerodynamic control that manipulated a flying machine's surfaces.
They
gained the mechanical skills essential for their success by working for years
in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery.
Their work with bicycles in particular influenced their belief that an unstable
vehicle like a flying machine could be controlled and balanced with practice. From
1900 until their first powered flights in late 1903, they conducted extensive
glider tests that also developed their skills as pilots. Their bicycle shop
employee Charlie Taylor became an important part of the team,
building their first aircraft engine in close collaboration with the brothers.
The Wright
brothers' status as inventors of the airplane has been subject to
counter-claims by various parties. Much controversy persists over the many competing claims of early aviators.The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948)
and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were
two American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers who were credited with inventing and building the
world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled,
powered and sustained heavier-than-air human
flight, on December 17, 1903. From 1905 to 1907, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft.
Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright
brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing
powered flight possible.
The
brothers' fundamental breakthrough was their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the
pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method became standard and
remains standard on fixed-wing aircraft of all kinds. From the beginning of
their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on developing a reliable
method of pilot control as the key to solving "the flying problem".
This approach differed significantly from other experimenters of the time who
put more emphasis on developing powerful engines. Using a small home built wind tunnel, the Wrights also collected
more accurate data than any before, enabling them to design and build wings and
propellers that were more efficient than any before. Their first U.S. patent,
821,393, did not claim invention of a flying machine, but rather, the invention
of a system of aerodynamic control that
manipulated a flying machine's surfaces.
They
gained the mechanical skills essential for their success by working for years
in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery.
Their work with bicycles in particular influenced their belief that an unstable
vehicle like a flying machine could be controlled and balanced with practice. From
1900 until their first powered flights in late 1903, they conducted extensive
glider tests that also developed their skills as pilots. Their bicycle shop
employee Charlie Taylor became an important part of the team,
building their first aircraft engine in close collaboration with the brothers.
The Wright
brothers' status as inventors of the airplane has been subject to
counter-claims by various parties. Much controversy persists over the many competing claims of early aviators.