Wright Flyer

The Wright Flyer I was the world's first heavier­thanair powered and controlled flying machine. There were many experimenters before Orville and Wilbur Wright. Although the brothers read the re­search of these earlier pioneers, they took nothing for granted. This model and the case were built by Museum volunteers. Walk around the case to see the entire exhibit. The first flight of this aircraft covered just 120 feet. The Wright Flyer I had a wingspan of 40 feet 4 inches and was 21 feet, 1 inch long. Flyer I was' destroyed in a flood the 1905 Flyer III is con­sidered the first practical airplane.