Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
The Wright Brothers needed to test the glider somewhere with steady winds, privacy, and a soft place to land. The National Weather Service sent them information on wind speed and temperature in various locations in and around Ohio. After reviewing this information, they settled on Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, one of the sandiest and windiest places in the US. |
Between 1900 and 1903, the Wright Brothers conducted many experiments. These first experiments were mainly used to secure wind shape ideas and discover the best ways to turn in air. Once the brothers finalized their "wing-warping" technology for turning during flight and their basic Flyer design, they began working on technology which didn’t require substantial winds to fly. |
Eventually, they built a 1902 Glider with a four-cylinder engine. The engine went on the front of the Flyer and was used to keep it aloft and support successful forward movement. |
On December 17th, 1903, the brothers showed their work to the public. Between 10:30am and noon four flights were made, two by each brother. Of the four flights made, the most successful and most widely known was the one flown by Orville that traveled 852 feet in 59 seconds.
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After the flight Orville sent a telegram to his father, Bishop Milton Wright. The telegram said,
"SUCCESS FOUR FLIGHTS THURSDAY MORNING ALL AGAINST TWENTY ONE MILE WIND STARTED FROM LEVEL WITH ENGINE POWER ALONE AVERAGE SPEED THROUGH AIR THIRTY ONE MILES LONGEST 57 SECONDS INFORM PRESS HOME CHRISTMAS." It was signed "Orvelle" as the name was mistranslated in the process of delivering the telegram. Bishop Wright brought it to the local Dayton Reporter. Many newspapers were skeptical of flight. A few newspapers ran a brief announcement of their success, however many people got the facts wrong, leaving them with little fame or recognition. |
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