First Wright Biplane 1903

Illustration of a yellow plane over a light blue sky over a yellow ground with blue text

In 1903 brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright constructed and flew the first powered airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The plane used a twelve-horsepower gasoline engine. The brothers flipped a coin to determine Wilbur would make the first try to fly it on December 14, 1903. His attempt was unsuccessful. They made repairs to the plane, and Orville took the pilot’s position on December 17. He flew the plane for 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. The brothers took turns flying the machine three more times, with the final flight of the day lasting 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet.