Evolution of the Airplane

Leonardo DaVinci creates plan for an ornithopter with flapping wings

Jan 1, 1490

Leonardo DaVinci creates a plan for an ornithopter that flaps it's wings and has the capability to hold a man. (Exact date unknown) http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro.htm

Sir George Cayley creates first plan for a aircraft that has fixed wings.

Jan 1, 1799

Sir George Cayley creates the idea of a flying aircraft with fixed wings, which was used in all future planes to come. (Exact date unknown) http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro.htm

William Henson designs The Aerial Steam Carriage

Jan 1, 1843

William Henson designs The Aerial Steam Carriage, which creates the first concept of using propellers. (Exact date unknown) http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro.htm

The Wright Brothers have the first controlled powered flight.

Dec 17, 1903

The Wright Brothers have their first controlled flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marking the beginning to the Wright Brother's success. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/wright.htm

The Wright Brothers succesfully flies the Wright Flyer III

Jan 1, 1905

The Wright Brothers successfully fly the Wright Flyer III, which was able to be flown and navigated. This aircraft is considered to be the first "practical aircraft". (Exact date unknown) http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro.htm

The first military aircraft is created by the Wright Brothers

Aug 2, 1909

The Wright Brothers create the first military aircraft named the Wright Military Flying. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/world%E2%80%99s-first-military-airplane

British government funds creation of the top secret Dunne flying wing

Jun 18, 1910

The British funded Dunne flying wing was the first ever top secret aircraft to be built and tested. http://fly.historicwings.com/2013/03/the-dunne-flying-wing/

First ever commercial flight is flown.

Jan 1, 1914

The first ever commercial flight flies 23 minutes from St. Petersburg to Tampa, Florida with the former mayor of St. Petersburg as the passenger on the 1st of January in 1914. http://www.flying100years.com/#1914

The "plane that changed the world" DC-3 Introduced

Jan 1, 1936

The DC-3 introduced in 1936 (Exact date unknown) changing the world of commercial flying. The DC-3 flew non-stop flights with many available seats. http://www.flying100years.com/#1936

First ever commercial jet flight

Jan 1, 1952

In 1952, the first ever commercial jet flight was flown. This set the beginning to the evolution of large scale commercial jets. http://www.flying100years.com/#1952

Airbus A350 enters service

Jan 1, 2014

In 2014, the Airbus A350 enters service. Efficiency and operational comfort improved a century away from the bi-plane. http://www.flying100years.com/#2014