Wilbur Wright & Orville Wright
- Born:
- Wilbur Wright: April 16, 1867, near Millville, Indiana; Orville Wright: August 19, 1871, Dayton, Ohio
- Died:
- Wilbur Wright: May 30, 1912, Dayton, Ohio; Orville Wright: January 30, 1948, Dayton, Ohio
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Inventors, Aviation Pioneers, Bicycle Manufacturers
Early Life and Education
- Wilbur and Orville Wright were two of seven children born to Milton Wright, a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and Susan Catherine Koerner Wright.
- Neither brother received a high school diploma. Wilbur did not attend his graduation ceremony and Orville dropped out before his senior year.
- Early interests included printing presses, which led to Orville starting his own printing business.
- The Wright brothers' interest in flight was sparked by a toy helicopter given to them as children.
Career and Major Achievements
- The Wright brothers owned and operated a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, from 1892. This shop, the Wright Cycle Company, provided them with the financial resources and mechanical skills necessary for their aviation experiments. Many historical accounts detail the story of the "Wright brothers biography bicycle shop Michigan" [NOTE: Michigan is incorrect and should read Ohio] and how the brothers used the mechanical experience gained in the cycle shop to produce parts for their planes.
- They began experimenting with gliders in 1900 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, chosen for its strong and consistent winds.
- On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they achieved the first sustained, controlled, powered heavier-than-air flight.
- They continued to improve their designs and demonstrate their aircraft to potential buyers.
- In 1909, they formed the Wright Company to manufacture and sell airplanes.
- Faced patent infringement lawsuits, particularly from Glenn Curtiss.
Notable Works
- Wright Flyer I (1903): The first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft.
- Wright Flyer II (1904) & Wright Flyer III (1905): Improved versions of the original Flyer.
- Wright Model A (1908): The first aircraft they marketed and sold.
- Patents: US Patent 821,393 for their flying machine.
Legacy and Impact
The Wright brothers' invention of the airplane revolutionized transportation, warfare, and communication, ushering in the age of aviation. They are regarded as pioneers of modern aviation and their work continues to influence aircraft design and technology today.