Happy Birthday to Aviation

Wright Brothers, Kitty Hawk, NC

The weather’s been as low as single digits and topping out in the 20’s during the day. It’s just too cold to work on the Tailwind in an unheated hangar so I haven’t got anything done since I last signed in. I did want to take this moment to say happy birthday (or happy anniversary) to aviation. It was on this day 108 years ago, December 17, 1903, that the Wright Brother’s took their first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, NC in the Wright Flyer. What’s really special is that the moment was caught on film and the photo is available through the Library of Congress. It’s such a neat piece of history that I want to share it here. Orville was laying on his stomach at the controls, while Wilbur looked on watching history being made.

First flight, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10:35 a.m.; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Wright Flyer First Flight

Wright Brothers, Kitty Hawk, NC

If you want to download the images from the Library of Congress, here you go.

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