This Is Where the Wright Brothers First Flew

In a shining moment of American history, two brothers from Ohio put North Carolina on the map for being the place where they turned their fantasy of flight into reality.

[JohnKSedor]

The 2 replicas of Gustave Whitehead 's plane flew very well in Bridgeport Connecticut and in Germany near the Museum to his honor for first in flight in at least 1901, 2 years before the Wright Brothers, and Gustave may have flown as early as 1899!

[paulrubio]

On a family trip in the summer of 2003, we visited the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which was memorably during the centennial year. Months later, on December 17, I was in first period 7th grade science class at the exact moment.

[Glicksman]

Interestingly, on the 100th anniversary of their first flight, the beautiful and accurate replica was not set to fly at the same place at Kitty Hawk as the Brothers did, but on a flat stretch closer to the hill and the monument. It didn't fly that day due to the lack of wind, the high density altitude and dampness (it rained cats and dogs), but it was a thrill just to be there and see it at that place on that day.

[JohnKSedor]

Bridgeport Connecticut is where the first flights occurred in 1901, not Kitty Hawk.

[JohnKSedor]

The WRONG BROTHERS flew 2 years too late. Gustave Whitehead flew in Bridgeport Connecticut in 1901, 2 years before these guys, in front of eyewitnesses and newspaper reporters who signed affidavits.

[puma]

A fitting monument to the pioneers of flight, and the spirit of invention.

[gilberto]

Wright brothers playing the flyer downhill and did use potent headwinds in 1903. This machine is a engineless glider. Old machine. george cayley did create
the First in 1799!!

[markmiester]

It was an incredible moment in history and to feel the moment when lift off took place. Nothing more exciting in my stomach.

[Álvaro_Ávila-]

Just passing by to remind you that who invented the motor plane was Santos Dumont, a Brazilian! You just copied us and took credit for it.

[Mark]

The conquest of the sideral space begins um this place. US glory and victory!

[gilberto]

The perfect replica in 2003 didn't fly

[gilberto]

Wright brothers did have a extreme talent for disasters.

[okaystupid]

Second in flight, no one has seen a replica 1903 fly & the Wright Brothers didn't have proof their's even flew.
The Wright Brothers aren't recognized around the World anymore outside of Ohio, NC & Smithsonian.

Every 1903 Wright Brothers plane crashed or failed. Gustave Whitehead is recognized around the rest of the Aviation Community😁

[James-reco]

On August 14, 1901, Gustave Whitehead, a German-born immigrant living in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was more than likely the first to achieve manned, self-propelled, sustained flight, somewhat under control, but did not have 3-axis control. He steered the machine by shifting his body weight from side to side. Some time after this flight the Wright Brothers visited Whitehead under the guise of financing his efforts (reported by a man who worked for Whitehead at that time).

My theory is that during this visit, Whitehead shared some ideas which led the Wrights to 3-axis control which they tested and built into their 1902 glider. Add the fact that there were no photos of Whitehead's #21 machine in flight - only photos of it on the ground. And zero original source documentation such as journals, letters, telegrams, etc.

In 1903, the Wrights added an engine and propellers to what was essentially the 1902 glider (they never considered propulsion a big challenge), and on December 17, 1903 invited a few spectators and had the high-end camera at the ready.

Kids, if you want to own the patents and make it into the Smithsonian, document your work... Thoroughly.