1903 Flyer

The 1903 Flyer, developed by the Wright brothers, was the first powered aircraft capable of sustained, controlled flight. It featured a lightweight design with a wingspan of 12 meters (40 feet) and used a custom-built engine. On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, it made the first successful flight lasting 12 seconds, covering about 37 meters (120 feet). This historic event marked the beginning of modern aviation, demonstrating that controlled, heavier-than-air flight was possible and paving the way for future aircraft development.