Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first ones to make a power-driven airplane. Wilbur was born in Millville, Indiana on April 16, 1867. Orville was born in Dayton, Ohio on Aug. 19, 1871.

    They made it to high school but didn’t graduate from high school.

    In 1889, Orville started a print shop using a homemade press. Soon Wilbur joined Orville in the printing business. When bicycling became popular, they opened a bicycle shop, were they sold and repaired bikes.

    They were always fascinated with flight. They began to plan their first powered airplane in 1902. They finished building it in the fall of 1903. It cost less than $1000 to make it. The wingspan was 40 ½ feet long and weighed about 750 lbs. They also made their own lightweight engine for the plane.

    The brothers went to Kitty Hawk, NC on Sept. 1903. Storms and small defects held off their experiments until December 17. That is when they made their famous flight.

    The Wright’s continued their experiments throughout their lives.

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