Inventor · 1867 – 1948
Wright Brothers
Solved the central problems of controlled, powered flight, made the first sustained heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, and developed the practical aeroplane that opened the era of aviation.
Greatest Achievements
- Achieved the first sustained, controlled, powered flight in 1903.
- Developed the Wright Flyer into a practical flying machine by 1905.
Major Accomplishments
- Achieved the first sustained, controlled, powered flight in 1903.
- Developed the Wright Flyer into a practical flying machine by 1905.
Discoveries
- A system of three-axis control that made an aircraft steerable and stable.
- Wind-tunnel data correcting earlier, faulty aeronautical assumptions.
Impact Analysis
By solving control — not just lift and power — the Wright Brothers turned the ancient dream of flight into reality and founded the aviation industry.
Historical influence score: 85/100