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400 BCE
In the beginning...
As old as the mankind is the idea of flying. Humans have wanted to fly as high as the birds for a long time. -
Jan 1, 1200
The Ornithopter
It was the first attempt to imitate a bird. People built wings to attach to their arms to be able to fly. Roger Bacon was the first person to consider flying using attachable wings to the arms. -
Hot air balloons
In 1783, some persons interested in flying began some attempts in lighter than air ballons. This were ballons filled with hot air or hydrogen gas, however the flights were directed by the wind and not by the tripulants. -
First draft of an airplane
Sir George Cayley presented the first scientific design of an airplane. In his model, he included fixed wings, propulsion system, and a movable control surface. -
Felix duTemple tries to fly
Felix duTemple made the first attempt by jumping of the end of a ramp in a plane propulsed by steam. How exciting! -
Oh Otto Lilienthal, what inspiration...
In 1894, Otto Lilienthal made the first controlled flight using his body weight to control de airplane. He was also an inspiration for the famous Wright Brothers, Wilbur and Orville. -
And the day came... The Wright Brothers success
On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first controlled, sustained and powered flight in North Carolina. This was a major event in the history of aviation! -
The practical flying machine... now on sale!
After their success, the Wright Brothers began to commercialize their invention. They promoted the airplane as a "practical flying machine". And it was indeed, very practical! -
More and more uses for the airplanes
By 1909, the uses of the airplanes were very diverse and the technology was moving forward very quickly. Float planes, flying boats, passenger aircraft, and more became more and more available. -
Not only men were protagonists!
In 1911, Harriet Quimby became the first woman to be a licensed pilot in the United States. What a brave lady! -
Around the world over the Equator... Amelia Earhart
In June 1st, 1937, Amelia Earhart was chosen to fly around the world over the Equatorial line. She began her journey flying from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Then she went to Venezuela, to go to Africa and the Red Sea. She passed by Pakistan, India, Birmania, Singapur, and more. In July 2nd, 1937, she was flying towards the island of Nukumanku in the Pacific Ocean when her airplane lost communication with the control tower. She went missing and nobody found her body after that. -
Well, history of the airplane is amazing
In my opinion, the history of the airplane is very interesting. It began when humans saw birds and desired to fly. After a lot of studies and attempts, the first flying machines were constructed. And it took almost a century for developing a modern airplane with fixed wings, propulsion system, and controls. It is very interesting to see how many different persons and theories had to be tested for a real airplane to be built. Also, I think it was very brave to jump on a plane and flight. -
Glossary
Mankind: The human race, human beings collectively without reference to sex.
Propulsion: An aircraft propulsion system generally consists of an aircraft engine and some means to generate thrust, such as a propeller or a propulsive nozzle. -