1903 Wright Flyer

The 1903 Wright Flyer was the first successful powered aircraft, designed and built by the Wright brothers. It featured a wooden frame, fabric-covered wings, and a unique three-axis control system that allowed the pilot to steer and balance the plane during flight. On December 17, 1903, it made the first controlled, sustained flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, lasting 12 seconds and covering about 120 feet. This achievement marked the beginning of modern aviation, demonstrating that controlled, powered flight was possible for the first time.