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The Miniature Glider
In 1804, Sir George Cayley, also known as the "Father of Aviation", crafted the first version of any type of free-flying aircraft. Along with doing this, he discovered the drag and lift vector, and designed a model glider that included a fixed wing and a horizontal and vertical tail, each of which helped provide the model glider with longitudinal stability. http://aviation-history.com/early/cayley.htm -
Fixed-Wing Aviation
Thomas Walker designed a pamphlet in 1810 relating to fixed-wing aviation. Even though his model slightly resembled that of Cayley's, Walker's design included a feature that blew Cayley's out of the water. Walker's model contained 8 overlapping wings, each of which could be controlled by a control system. This design could hypothetically make the plane rise or lower. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Century_Before/First_Airplanes/First_Airplanes.htm -
The Tandem-Wing Airplane
In 1831, Thomas Walker once again devised a plan to develop an airplane. By renovating his old design and adding curved surfaces rather than winglets, and 4 wings rather than 8, he managed to balance the load that the plane would be bearing. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Century_Before/First_Airplanes/First_Airplanes.htm -
The Aerial Steam Carriage
Finally, in 1843, William Samuel Henson developed the first ever design for an aircraft that would be known as a "propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft." Even though his idea was ridiculed in the beginning, this design turned out to be the reference point for many futuristic innovations of aircraft carriers. Along with this, the model provided a basic shape for aircraft wings. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Century_Before/First_Airplanes/First_Airplanes.htm -
The "Boy Glider"
Once again, Sir George Cayley made a huge development in the field of aerodynamics. He designed and built a "small triplane glider", adorned with a small flapper used for balance on each side. This aircraft managed to lift a young boy into the air, and flew as a kite when Cayley manned it. Overall, the "Boy Glider" was the "first recorded manned fixed-wing aircraft." http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Century_Before/First_Airplanes/First_Airplanes.htm -
The Practical Flying Machine
After years of examining birds and mechanics, Wilbur and Orville Wright managed to design the perfect wings for flight. Using "wing-warping" and a movable rudder, the brothers developed the perfect formula for a free flying plane. In 1903, Wilbur flew the first controlled and power-driven airplane for 59 seconds at approx. 852 feet in the air. http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/wright-brothers -
The First Passenger
In 1904, Ferdinand Ferber modified his glider by adding an elevator in the front, a horizontal tailplane, and triangular wingtip rudders. This new design proved to be successful when Ferber took his mechanic on the testing flight, and the plane continued to fly flawlessly. Marius Burdin, Ferber's mechanic, became known as the first passenger in an aircraft. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Decade_After/Landing_Without_Crashing/Landing_Without_Crashing.htm -
The Best Flight of the Season
After many experiments and modifications, the Wright brothers managed to produce a plane that was even more successful than their original. By developing a catapult launching system, they were able to get the heavier-than-air plane up to flying speed. On Nov. 9, Wilbur flew the plane for 5 minutes, successfully traveling 4.4 kilometers. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Decade_After/Landing_Without_Crashing/Landing_Without_Crashing.htm -
McDonnell Douglas Commercial Flights
In 1920, Douglas developed the "first aerodynamically streamlined plane", and founded his company in order to sell planes to the Navy. In 1932, they company began their commercial flights, eventually developing the DC-3. Overall, the firm contributed to 1/6 of the US airborne fleet, and trumped commercial air routes. https://www.britannica.com/topic/McDonnell-Douglas-Corporation -
Boeing
In 1997, the Boeing company bought the McDonnell Douglas company, along with their airplanes. Following this, Boeing eventually evolved McDonnell Douglas' airplanes and knowledge of aerodynamics into missiles, military aircraft, space vehicles, and helicopters. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boeing-Company
