The History of Aviation

Humans dreamed of flying for thousands of years. In 1903, the Wright Brothers made that dream come true. Their first flight lasted only 12 seconds, but it changed the world. Today, airplanes carry millions of people and tons of goods around the globe every day.

The First Flights

Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. Their longest flight that day lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet. Within a few years, planes were flying higher, faster, and farther. Charles Lindbergh flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

Modern Aviation

World War 1 and World War 2 pushed airplane technology forward quickly. Jet engines were developed in the 1940s and made planes much faster. Commercial airlines began carrying passengers around the world. Today, a flight across the Atlantic takes only about seven hours.

Fun Facts

• The Wright Brothers' first flight covered less distance than the length of a modern jumbo jet.
• Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic Ocean alone in 33.5 hours in 1927.
• About 100,000 flights take off every day around the world.

Did You Know?

The Wright Brothers owned a bicycle shop and used their knowledge of gears and balance to help design their airplane.