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Leonardo Da Vinci draws detailed plans for a flying machine after studying the flight of birds.
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Felix du Temple makes the first attempt at powered flight by hopping off the end of a ramp in a steam-driven monoplane. He fails.
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Sir Hiram Maxim makes a successful takeoff. However, it is uncontrolled. At the same time, Otto Lilienthal makes the first controlled flights. He maintains control by shifting his body weight to steer the small glider. However, Lilienthal's glider is not powered.
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Inspired by Lilienthal's success, Wilbur and Orville Wright begin experimenting with aerodynamics. Eventually, they make the first controlled, sustained, powered flight on December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
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Immediately after the Wright Brother's success, they begin to develop their experimental aircraft into a marketable product. Other experimenters learn of their work and begin to build on their success.
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Although not essential in the beginning of the war, airplanes began to play an important role by the end of WWI.
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Airplanes in WWII were used as fighters, bombers, and transport planes.
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Today, airplanes are used by many people as a mode of transportation. They allow people to travel great distances quickly.
