Wood and Fabric Sample from the 1903 Wright Flyer

01

Artifact Overview

Orville Wright presented these samples of fabric and wood, from the 1903 Wright Flyer, to Henry Ford in 1936. Ford was in the process of acquiring the Wright brothers' home and bicycle shop for Greenfield Village. Pieces of the Wright Flyer became important symbols. The Apollo 11 astronauts carried some during the first manned Moon landing in 1969.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sample

Date Made

17 December 1936

Subject Date

17 December 1903

Creator Notes

Original Wright Flyer created by Orville and Wilbur Wright, Dayton, Ohio. Sample taken and distributed by Orville Wright, Dayton, Ohio.

Location

at Greenfield Village in Wright Cycle Shop

Object ID

00.2.181

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry and Clara Ford.

Material

Spruce (Wood)
Muslin
Cardboard

Dimensions

Height: 4.833 in
Width: 2.438 in

Inscriptions

MR. FORD...ORVILLE WRIGHT [Written on card]
Wood and Fabric Sample from the 1903 Wright Flyer