On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers achieved the first controlled, powered flight with the Wright Flyer at Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk.
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The Wright brothers chose Kitty Hawk for its strong winds and soft, sandy terrain—ideal for testing their glider and powered flight experiments.
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The Wright Flyer was a biplane with a wooden frame, fabric covering, and a 12-horsepower engine powering two pusher propellers.
Image source: Photo by Wilbur Wright clings to his damaged flying machine after an unsuccessful trial on December 14, 1903, licensed under CC BY-ND, via flickr.com
Glenn Curtiss, a motorcycle engineer, became a major aviation pioneer, winning the first public flight prize in 1908 with the ‘June Bug.’
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The Wright brothers and Glenn Curtiss became fierce competitors, with lawsuits over aircraft control patents slowing aviation progress.
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The Wright brothers pioneered the three-axis control system, using wing-warping for roll, a canard elevator for pitch, and a rudder for yaw.
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Glenn Curtiss introduced ailerons for roll control, making them more practical and effective for larger, faster aircraft.
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The Wright brothers’ planes were lightweight with skids, while Curtiss’s were more robust, featuring wheeled landing gear.
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The Wright Flyer had a custom 12-horsepower engine, while Curtiss used more powerful, reliable engines suited for longer flights.
Image source: Photo by Engine detail on Douglas DC-7 'N4887C', licensed under CC BY-ND, via flickr.com
The Wrights focused on short, controlled flights, while Curtiss aimed at practical, long-distance applications and military uses.
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Curtiss’s JN-4 ‘Jenny’ became one of the most widely used aircraft in early aviation, especially in military training.
Image source: Photo by Curtis JN4 Jenny, licensed under CC BY-ND, via flickr.com
The Wright brothers and Glenn Curtiss shaped modern aviation with their innovative control systems, aircraft designs, and fierce competition.
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