the birth of aviation
NOW–April 30, 2006

The Birth of Aviation tells the complete story of the Wright Bros—from their early days as printers and bicycle inventors and builders—on through their experiments and trial and error attempts to achieve winged flight. Visitors can experiment—just as the brothers did—with early scientific instruments, wind tunnels, wing shapes and aeroplane design.

Beginning in 1878 with the childhood of Wilbur and Orville and their first experiences with a flying toy, visitors traverse a timeline continuing through 1903 when the first flight took place and into 1905 when the brothers finally achieved what they considered a “practical flying machine.” Along the way, visitors fly the rubber-band powered toy that inspired the young Wright brothers, and perform the inner- tube box experiment that revealed the secret of flight. Suspended from the ceiling of our massive gallery are models of the early Wright flyers. But these aren’t just any models—these are exact replicas that have been flight tested just like the originals. To walk beneath these aeroplanes is to walk back to the earliest days of the human quest for flight.

Completing the immersion into history, visitors can attempt to fly a Wright Flyer in one of five computer flight simulators. These are authentic flight cradle simulators where visitors must lie down to attempt to fly the plane—choose from the 1900, 1901, 1902, or 1905 flyer. Or climb on board just as it happened on that fateful day in North Carolina in 1903 when the first engine powered, heavier than air machine flew for twelve seconds. Learn tips from others through photographs and video displays chronicling modern day attempts to re-create the Wright brother’s attempts at building the first flying machine. This is not just an exhibit—it’s an adventure. Catch the next flight!