Search
- Pamphlet, "Experiments and Observations in Soaring Flight," Wilbur Wright, 1903 - Theories and research on aviation were shared widely through professional journals. While conducting their experiments, Wilbur and Orville Wright read almost everything they could find, and Wilbur contributed his own articles on the brothers' work. This August 1903 article, based on Wilbur's June 1903 presentation to the Western Society of Engineers, describes their successful glider flights of 1902.
- June 24, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Pamphlet, "Experiments and Observations in Soaring Flight," Wilbur Wright, 1903
Theories and research on aviation were shared widely through professional journals. While conducting their experiments, Wilbur and Orville Wright read almost everything they could find, and Wilbur contributed his own articles on the brothers' work. This August 1903 article, based on Wilbur's June 1903 presentation to the Western Society of Engineers, describes their successful glider flights of 1902.
- Wood and Fabric Sample from the 1903 Wright Flyer - 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.
- December 17, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Wood and Fabric Sample from the 1903 Wright Flyer
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.
- Wright Brothers Testing the 1902 Glider at Kill Devil Hills - The Wright brothers' 1902 glider was their third aircraft tested at Kill Devil Hills in as many years. It was also the first built with aerodynamic calculations based on the Wrights' own wind tunnel tests. The improvements in performance were stunning. The brothers made more than 700 glides in 1902. Many were over 500 feet long, and some exceeded 600 feet.
- October 01, 1902
- Collections - Artifact
Wright Brothers Testing the 1902 Glider at Kill Devil Hills
The Wright brothers' 1902 glider was their third aircraft tested at Kill Devil Hills in as many years. It was also the first built with aerodynamic calculations based on the Wrights' own wind tunnel tests. The improvements in performance were stunning. The brothers made more than 700 glides in 1902. Many were over 500 feet long, and some exceeded 600 feet.
- Wright Brothers Testing the 1902 Glider at Kill Devil Hills - The Wright brothers' 1902 glider was their third aircraft tested at Kill Devil Hills in as many years. It was also the first built with aerodynamic calculations based on the Wrights' own wind tunnel tests. The improvements in performance were stunning. The brothers made more than 700 glides in 1902. Many were over 500 feet long, and some exceeded 600 feet.
- October 02, 1902
- Collections - Artifact
Wright Brothers Testing the 1902 Glider at Kill Devil Hills
The Wright brothers' 1902 glider was their third aircraft tested at Kill Devil Hills in as many years. It was also the first built with aerodynamic calculations based on the Wrights' own wind tunnel tests. The improvements in performance were stunning. The brothers made more than 700 glides in 1902. Many were over 500 feet long, and some exceeded 600 feet.
- Pamphlet, "Some Aeronautical Experiments," Wilbur Wright, 1901 - In 1901, aviation pioneer and Wright brothers mentor Octave Chanute invited Wilbur Wright to address the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, Illinois. Wilbur described the brothers' glider experiments near Kitty Hawk in 1900 and 1901. The speech questioned accepted data on wing design, and it established the Wrights' aeronautical work as some of the most advanced in the field.
- September 18, 1901
- Collections - Artifact
Pamphlet, "Some Aeronautical Experiments," Wilbur Wright, 1901
In 1901, aviation pioneer and Wright brothers mentor Octave Chanute invited Wilbur Wright to address the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, Illinois. Wilbur described the brothers' glider experiments near Kitty Hawk in 1900 and 1901. The speech questioned accepted data on wing design, and it established the Wrights' aeronautical work as some of the most advanced in the field.
- Letter from Wilbur Wright to the Editor of Century Magazine, December 26, 1903 - Wilbur and Orville Wright took great care in protecting their aircraft designs. In this letter, written just nine days after the Wrights' pioneering flights at Kill Devil Hills, Wilbur cautioned a magazine editor that he and his brother were not prepared to give detailed descriptions or illustrations of their airplane. Likewise, they wished to retain copyright on photos of their machine.
- December 26, 1903
- Collections - Artifact
Letter from Wilbur Wright to the Editor of Century Magazine, December 26, 1903
Wilbur and Orville Wright took great care in protecting their aircraft designs. In this letter, written just nine days after the Wrights' pioneering flights at Kill Devil Hills, Wilbur cautioned a magazine editor that he and his brother were not prepared to give detailed descriptions or illustrations of their airplane. Likewise, they wished to retain copyright on photos of their machine.
- Van Cleve Bicycle, Made by the Wright Brothers circa 1896 - Wilbur and Orville Wright established their first bicycle shop in 1892. They started building their own bikes in 1896. Van Cleve bicycles -- named for Wright family ancestors -- used high-grade materials, and they featured special oil-retaining wheel hubs and coaster brakes of the brothers' own design. The Wrights built each bike to order, hand-making parts with basic tools.
- circa 1896
- Collections - Artifact
Van Cleve Bicycle, Made by the Wright Brothers circa 1896
Wilbur and Orville Wright established their first bicycle shop in 1892. They started building their own bikes in 1896. Van Cleve bicycles -- named for Wright family ancestors -- used high-grade materials, and they featured special oil-retaining wheel hubs and coaster brakes of the brothers' own design. The Wrights built each bike to order, hand-making parts with basic tools.
- Christmas Card from Wilbur, Orville, and Katharine Wright, 1911 - With their list of personal and professional contacts growing ever longer, the Wright siblings sent printed Christmas cards during the 1911 holiday season. Unfortunately, the new year would not be a happy one for the Wrights. Exhausted by ongoing legal fights over their aviation patents, Wilbur Wright died from typhoid fever on May 30, 1912.
- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Christmas Card from Wilbur, Orville, and Katharine Wright, 1911
With their list of personal and professional contacts growing ever longer, the Wright siblings sent printed Christmas cards during the 1911 holiday season. Unfortunately, the new year would not be a happy one for the Wrights. Exhausted by ongoing legal fights over their aviation patents, Wilbur Wright died from typhoid fever on May 30, 1912.
- Wright Home - Though the Wright family moved around, brothers Wilbur and Orville always thought of this house, originally located at 7 Hawthorn Street in Dayton, Ohio, as home. Orville was born here in 1871, and Wilbur died here in 1912. It was also here that the brothers began their serious studies in aviation -- work that led to their successful 1903 Wright Flyer.
- 1870-1913
- Collections - Artifact
Wright Home
Though the Wright family moved around, brothers Wilbur and Orville always thought of this house, originally located at 7 Hawthorn Street in Dayton, Ohio, as home. Orville was born here in 1871, and Wilbur died here in 1912. It was also here that the brothers began their serious studies in aviation -- work that led to their successful 1903 Wright Flyer.
- St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901 - After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.
- 1897-1901
- Collections - Artifact
St. Clair Bicycle Made by the Wright Brothers, 1897-1901
After their 1901 glider didn't perform as expected, Wilbur and Orville Wright modified a bicycle to test the data used to shape their wings. Riding the bike generated a breeze that simulated the air pressure against a wing in flight. Although this St. Clair bicycle was built by the Wrights, it is not the actual bike used in their experiments.