Flight is something that humans take advantage of. It's crazy to think that just a little over 100 years ago humans weren't riding on airplanes to cross continents. Thursday, December 17th will mark the 117th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight. To commemorate the anniversary, the First Flight Society and the National Park Service are hosting an event at the park where the entrance fees will be waived. To celebrate, we wanted to share some details of the First Flight!
Who were the Wright Brothers?
Orville and Wilbur Wright were brothers from Dayton, Ohio in the late 1800s. There, they ran a bicycle shop and became infatuated with flying. They tried several experiments in Ohio, but with no success, so they decided to go to the Outer Banks where there there is more wind.
Details of the First Flight
At the time of their flight in 1903 Kill Devil Hills didn't exist, it was known then as Kitty Hawk. They chose that area because of the great winds! Then the Outer Banks was pretty desolate. After building several planes, they constructed "The Wright Flyer." It weighed 700 pounds, which was significantly heavier than their previous models, and it had a 32ft. wingspan. The Flyer flew for 12 seconds on December 17th, and after some changes, it flew for 5 minutes!
For More Details Check Out Outerbanks.com
Pictured below is a poster that hangs in the Kitty Hawk Post Office, where the Wright Brothers notified the world of the first flight.
The Wright Brothers Memorial
Where the First Flight happened in Kill Devil Hills, now stands a memorial for the Wright brothers! At the top of the monument, which sits on a hill, you can see beautiful views of the ocean and the sound. On the 17th of December, 2020, entrance fees will be waived, and a celebration will begin at 9:00 am with live music, speakers, and an aviation flyover. Learn more about the event here.