1903 Wright Flyer

On 17 December 1903 at the Kill Devil Hills, four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville Wright flew 120 feet in 12 seconds, the first time a piloted, heavier-than-air machine left the ground under its own power, moved forward under control and landed at a point as high as its start. The brothers took turns for three more flights; Wilbur's fourth and longest covered 852 feet in 59 seconds. The Flyer was lent to the Science Museum in London in 1928, stored underground near Corsham during the Second World War, and returned to the United States in 1948, when it was formally presented to the Smithsonian on 17 December, the flights' 45th anniversary. It was fully restored in 1985.

1. 1903

   Designed and built by Wilbur and Orville WrightB

2. 17 December 1903

   First controlled, powered flights at the Kill Devil HillsA

   Four flights: Orville's first of 120 feet in 12 seconds, and Wilbur's last of 852 feet in 59 seconds.

3. 1928–1948

   Lent to the Science Museum, LondonB

   Stored in an underground facility near Corsham during the Second World War.

4. 17 December 1948

   Formally presented to the Smithsonian InstitutionB

   Deposited by the Estate of Orville Wright.

5. 1985

   Comprehensive restorationB

   Disassembled, cleaned and preserved, with new fabric patterned on the original 1903 covering.

Used by · 17 December 1903

Orville WrightA

Used by · 17 December 1903

Wilbur WrightA

Associated with

Charles E. TaylorCmedium confidence

Used at · 17 December 1903

Kill Devil HillsA

Exhibited at · 1928–1948

Science Museum, LondonB

Exhibited at · 1948–present

National Air and Space MuseumB

1. A

   National Park Service, '1903 – The First Flight'

   ↗ View original record
2. B

   National Air and Space Museum, collection record A19610048000

   Catalogue record

   ↗ View original record
3. C

   Wikipedia, 'Charlie Taylor (mechanic)'

   ↗ View original record