The Wright Flyer's Only Day

The Wrights built the aircraft in 1903 using spruce and ash, with a total thread count of 209. Luxury bedding.

They could not find a suitable automobile engine, so their employee built a 12 horsepower engine weighing 180 pounds.

On December 17, 1903, Orville made the first flight lasting 12 seconds and covering 120 feet. Shorter than a Boeing 747 wingspan.

Underwear fabric covered the wings.

The brothers made four flights that day: 120 feet, 175 feet, 200 feet, and finally 852 feet. Each landing was bumpy.

Wilbur flew fourth, covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. The landing broke the front elevator supports. The front elevator supports had one job.

After a bitter dispute, the Flyer joined the Smithsonian collection in 1948. One working day, then decades of arguing.