they went to the library and studied engine designs, did many experiments and built their own engines, which only weighed 150 pounds. They also designed their own propeller, with a curved top and a flat bottom. Many scientists including Langly disagreed with that design. But the Wright Brothers were correct and the scientists were wrong.

In December 17, 1903 the brothers tested their engine powered machine that they called Flyer 1. At 10:30 a.m. the brothers shook hands as the plane rumbled to life, history was about to be made. Orville went on Flyer 1 laying face down alongside the engine on the lower wing. Orville gave the signal to Wilber that he was ready. Suddenly the plane rolled forward faster and faster, then finally rose of the ground; Orville was the first person to fly an airplane.

The flight carried Orville only 120-feet and the brothers flew their aircraft three or more times that day. Wilber flew the last flight and it took him 852-feet and lasted 59 seconds. After that they went back to Dayton, Ohio and continued building and testing more airplanes. In 1908 they perfected an amazing airplane. It could fly 25 miles and stay in the air for 30 minutes; it had a speed of 40 miles per hour. The pilot would have so much control that it could fly in circles and do figures of eight.

The Wright Brothers didn't receive much attention until a newspaper reporter witnessed a 1,000-foot flight in 1908 and that same year Wilber had traveled to France and flew their plane before European royalty. In 1909 the Wright Brothers formed a Wright Co. and opened a factory to manufacture aircraft. Unfortunately Wilber Wright did not live long enough to see the improvements of the plane; he died in 1912 from the typhoid fever. Orville lived to see how the airplane changed the world and our lives. He also lived to see the jet airplane, which replaced his original propeller, and how it was used for military and commercial proposes.

If the Wright Brothers did not invent the airplane this world would be completely different. I might not be born and if I was born I would be in China right now. If a brother or sister lives somewhere else you wouldn't be able to visit them at all.

If the Wright Brothers did not invent the airplane this world would be completely different. I might not be born and if I was born I would be in China right now. If a brother or sister lives somewhere else you wouldn't be able to visit them at all.


           Research and Web Page by Cynthia

Work Cited:

Joseph, Paul. The Wright Brothers

Pictures from Encarta