Evolution of planes

Internal Combustion

1901

First successful flying model propelled by an internal combustion engine, Samuel Pierpont Langley.

Power and Controlled

1903

First sustained flight with a powered, controlled airplane, Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton.

Take off

1910

First take off from a ship
Eugene Ely pilots a Curtiss biplane on the first flight to take off from a ship.

Automatic Pilot

1914

Automatic gyro-stabilizer leads to first automatic pilot,
Lawrence Sperry. A gyroscope linked to sensors keeps the craft level and traveling in a straight line without aid from the human pilot.

Junkers J4

1917

The Junkers J4, an all-metal airplane, introduced Hugo Junkers, a German professor of mechanics introduces the Junkers J4.

Radial Engines

1925

Introduction of lightweight, air-cooled radial engines,air-cooled radial engines revolutionizes aeronautics, making bigger, faster planes possible.

Elector Mechanical flight simulator

1928

First elector-mechanical flight simulator, Edwin A. Link introduces the Link Trainer, the first electro mechanical flight simulator. Mounted on a base that allows the cockpit to pitch, roll, and yaw.

12- passenger twin engine

1933

In that summer Douglas introduces the 12-passenger twin-engine DC-1, designed by aeronautical engineer Arthur Raymond for a contract with TWA. A key requirement is that the plane can take off, fully loaded, if one engine goes out.

First practcial Radar

1935

British scientist Sir Robert Watson-Watt patents the first practical radar (for radio detection and ranging) system for meteorological applications. During World War II radar is successfully used in Great Britain to detect incoming aircraft and provide information to intercept bombers.

Succesful Jet Engine

1937

Jet engines designed
Jet engines designed independently by Britain’s Frank Whittle and Germany’s Hans Von Ohain

First practical single-rotor helicopters

1939

First practical single-rotor helicopters
Russian emigre Igor Sikorsky develops the VS-300 helicopter for the U.S. Army,

B-52 Bomber

1950

B-52 bomber
Boeing makes the B-52 bomber. It has eight turbojet engines, intercontinental range, and a capacity of 500,000 pounds.

Jet Aircraft

1963

First small jet aircraft to enter mass production
The prototype Learjet 23 makes its first flight on October 7. Powered by two GE CJ610 turbojet engines, it is 43 feet long, with a wingspan of 35.5 feet, and can carry seven passengers

Boeing 747

1969

Boeing 747
Boeing conducts the first flight of a wide-body, turbofan-powered commercial airliner, the 747, one of the most successful aircraft ever produced.

B-2 Bomber

1990

B-2 bomber developed
Northrop Grumman develops the B-2 bomber, with a "flying wing" design.