When Was The Aircraft Invented: When the concept of the first airplane takes flight in your mind, whose names soar alongside it? The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are the pioneers that most people associate with this groundbreaking invention. But it was on December 17, 1903, that their dreams truly took wing. On this unforgettable day, Orville emerged victorious from a coin toss, propelling himself into the history books with the first-ever successful powered flight! This extraordinary moment unfolded in the serene coastal town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, forever immortalising the Wright Brothers’ audacious pursuit of a flying contraption.
When Was The Aircraft Invented
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers marked the beginning of the aerial era with the successful maiden flights of a heavier-than-air flying machine in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This aircraft, known as the Wright Flyer or Kitty Hawk Flyer, was the culmination of an extensive four-year research and development initiative undertaken by Wilbur and Orville Wright, which commenced in 1899.
Throughout the process of designing and constructing their experimental aircraft, the Wrights introduced several fundamental principles and methodologies of modern aeronautical engineering, including the utilisation of a wind tunnel and flight testing for design optimisation. Their pioneering achievement not only encompassed the historic first flight of an airplane but also the equally significant establishment of the groundwork of aeronautical engineering.
Early Interest In Aircraft
The Wright brothers initially had a casual interest in flight during their youth. In 1878, their father gifted them a toy flying helicopter model that was powered by twisted rubber strands. They spent a significant amount of time playing with and experimenting on it, eventually constructing larger versions of the toy. Despite having some experience with kites, it wasn’t until 1896, following the tragic crash of Otto Lilienthal, that the Wrights delved into a more serious study of flight. After familiarising themselves with available materials on the subject, Wilbur reached out to the Smithsonian Institution on May 30, 1899, inquiring about any aeronautics publications they could provide.
First Aeronautical Craft
Following the arrival of the Smithsonian materials, the Wright brothers constructed their initial aeronautical craft in the summer of 1899. This craft was a biplane kite with a wingspan of five feet. Inspired by Lilienthal, the Wrights decided to utilise gliders as a precursor to a functional powered airplane. The kite built in 1899 served as a test device to validate the control system intended for their upcoming full-size glider. This control system eventually became a key component of their triumphant powered airplane.
Innovative Control Systems
The Wright brothers took a different approach to controlling their aircraft compared to Lilienthal. Instead of relying on shifting the pilot’s body weight to alter the centre of gravity, they aimed to achieve balance through aerodynamics. They believed that by creating varying amounts of lift on each end of the wing, one side would rise more than the other, resulting in the banking of the entire aircraft.
To achieve this, they employed a mechanical method of inducing differential lift by twisting or warping the wing tips in opposite directions. The pilot manipulated a series of lines attached to the outer edges of the wings to achieve this effect. This innovative idea revolutionised aeronautical experimentation as it provided effective lateral control in three-dimensional space without limiting the size of the aircraft, unlike the method of shifting body weight. The wing warping control system was proven to be practical through the successful performance of the 1899 kite.
Full-Size Gliders
Building on the success of their small wing warping kite, the brothers constructed and tested two full-size piloted gliders in 1900 and 1901. In addition to addressing control issues, the Wrights had to tackle challenges related to developing an efficient airfoil shape and solving structural design problems. Similar to the kite, these gliders were designed as biplanes, featuring forward-mounted horizontal stabilisers for controlling climb and descent, without a tail. Due to unsuitable flying conditions in Dayton, Ohio, the Wrights identified Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, as an ideal test site, known for its sandy, open spaces and consistent winds. Their first visit to Kitty Hawk in September 1900 marked the beginning of their journey to worldwide recognition.
Despite the control system functioning effectively and the structural design of the aircraft being solid, the gliders’ lift fell significantly short of the Wrights’ initial calculations. This discrepancy led them to question the reliability of the aerodynamic data they had relied upon. Faced with a critical situation, Wilbur and Orville made the decision to carry out an extensive series of wing shape tests. In the autumn of 1901, they constructed a compact wind tunnel to collect precise aerodynamic data, which would aid them in designing their next glider. At the core of the Wright wind tunnel were the ingeniously designed test instruments, which were installed to measure coefficients of lift and drag on miniature model wing shapes – the variables that the brothers were uncertain about.
Wind Tunnel Experiments
The Wrights’ third glider, which was constructed in 1902 using data from wind tunnel experiments, proved to be a remarkable achievement. By resolving the lift issues and implementing some adjustments to the control system, particularly the addition of a movable vertical tail, they were able to execute a multitude of controlled glides that lasted for extended periods. Throughout 1902, they accomplished an impressive number of flights, ranging from seven hundred to one thousand. The most notable of these flights covered a distance of 191.5 meters (622.5 feet) in just twenty-six seconds. With these accomplishments, the Wright brothers were now firmly convinced that they were on the verge of realising the dream of mechanical flight.
Powered Flight Development
They built their first powered airplane in the spring and summer of 1903, based on improvements made to the 1902 glider. The primary innovation in the 1903 aircraft was the propulsion system, which included a small gasoline engine built by the Wrights with the help of their bicycle shop mechanic, Charles Taylor. The propellers were the most groundbreaking feature of the propulsion system, designed as rotary wings to generate horizontal thrust aerodynamically.
By spinning an airfoil section on its side, the Wright brothers created an airflow over the surface to produce a horizontal “lift” force for propelling the airplane forward. This concept was a truly original and inventive aspect of their aeronautical endeavours. The 1903 airplane had two propellers placed at the back of the wings. These propellers were connected to the engine, which was located in the middle of the bottom wing, using a chain-and-sprocket transmission system.
First Powered Flight
In the autumn of 1903, the powered aircraft was deemed ready for experimentation. However, due to various issues with the engine transmission system, the first flight attempt had to be postponed until mid-December. Following a coin toss to determine who would make the initial try, Wilbur assumed the role of pilot and made an unsuccessful attempt on December 14th, resulting in minor damage to the Flyer. Repairs were swiftly carried out, and a second attempt was scheduled for December 17th.
This time, it was Orville’s turn to take the reins. At precisely 10:35 a.m., the Flyer gracefully took off from Kitty Hawk beach, embarking on a 12-second flight that covered a distance of 36 meters (120 feet). The brothers continued their endeavours, with three additional flights completed that morning, each taking turns as the pilot. The second and third flights extended to approximately two hundred feet. Finally, with Wilbur at the helm, the fourth and final flight spanned an impressive 255.6 meters (852 feet) in a duration of 59 seconds. This remarkable and sustained achievement left no doubt that the Wright brothers had successfully achieved flight.
Success And Setbacks
During the conversation about the long flight, a strong gust of wind flipped the Wright Flyer over on the sand. The aircraft suffered severe damage and was never flown again. Despite this setback, the Wrights had accomplished their goal of successfully demonstrating their design for a heavier-than-air flying machine. They continued to refine the Flyer, eventually creating practical versions in 1904 and 1905. On October 5, 1905, Wilbur piloted the brothers’ third powered airplane on a remarkable 39-minute flight, covering a distance of 39.2 km (24.5 miles) over a closed course.
Post-Flight History
Following its disastrous crash in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, the first powered Flyer was carefully packed and transported back to Dayton by the Wright brothers. The object was placed in a storage shed behind their bike shop and remained undisturbed for over ten years. In March 1913, Dayton experienced a severe flood, submerging the boxes containing the Flyer in water and mud for a lengthy period of eleven days.
Finally, in the summer of 1916, Orville took the initiative to uncrate, repair, and reassemble the airplane for a brief exhibition at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later on, the Wright Flyer was seen at various events such as the New York Aero Show in 1917, the National Air Races in Dayton in 1924, a Society of Automotive Engineers meeting in Dayton in 1918 and the New York Aero Show in 1919. Throughout these events, the meticulous preparation and assembly of the Wright Flyer were entrusted to Jim Jacobs, a skilled mechanic from the Wright Company, under the watchful eye of Orville.
Pride of the West
In 1928, the Science Museum in London received the airplane on loan. Orville and Jim Jacobs took the initiative to extensively refurbish the Flyer before shipping it to Europe. Despite being replaced with new material, the fabric covering remained the similar type as original “Pride of the West” muslin. Interestingly, some portions of the original 1903 fabric that adorned the airplane during its historic flights were preserved and can still be found in various locations.
During World War II, the airplane found a safe haven in an underground storage facility near the village of Corsham, approximately 160 km (100 miles) away from London. This facility was responsible for safeguarding numerous British national treasures. Contrary to popular belief, the Flyer was not stored in the London subway. In 1948, the airplane was returned to the United States and formally donated to the Smithsonian Institution in a grand ceremony held on December 17th, coinciding with the 45th anniversary of its groundbreaking flights. Since then, it has been proudly exhibited to the public at the Smithsonian Institution.
Restorations
The Flyer was given some small repairs and cleaning in 1976 before it was relocated to the new National Air and Space Museum building at the Smithsonian. By 1985, the airplane received its first major restoration since it was readied for loan to the Science Museum in the late 1920s. The aircraft was disassembled, cleaned, preserved, and re-covered with new fabric. A thorough search was conducted to find fabric that closely resembled the original material. The fabric was sewn on differently than the Wright brothers had done in 1903. During the 1985 restoration, a large section of the original 1903 wing covering was used as a pattern to ensure the accuracy of the restoration.
This was our article on when was the aircraft invented. To read more informative articles, Click Here!
About The Author
Pingback: Why Do Airplane Tires Smoke On Landing?
Pingback: Why Aircraft Vibrate More During Takeoff?
Pingback: How Much Is A Private Jet Flight Cost?
Pingback: How Are Jet Bridges Attached To Aircraft?