OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

Orville and Wilbur Wright were two brothers who dreamed of flying high up in the sky like birds! They built and flew the very first powered airplane. Thanks to the brave and clever Wright brothers, we can now fly in airplanes to visit places all over the world!

Orville was born in 1871 and Wilbur was born in 1867, and they grew up in Dayton, Ohio. They loved to build things together and even opened their very own bicycle shop. The brothers studied how birds used their wings to glide on the wind and wanted to build a machine that could do the same thing. They worked together for years, building gliders and testing them on windy beaches!

After many tries and fixes, the Wright brothers finally built a real airplane with an engine and propellers. On December 17, 1903, their flying machine lifted off the ground and flew through the air at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina! It was the first time anyone had ever flown a powered airplane. Their first flight lasted only 12 seconds, but it changed how people travel!

• The Wright brothers’ first flight lasted only 12 seconds and covered just 120 feet!
• They owned a bicycle shop before they started building airplanes.
• The brothers flipped a coin to decide who would fly first, and Wilbur won, but his attempt failed. Three days later, Orville made the famous first flight!