109 years ago today.
 

109 years ago today(1903)a man succesfully flew the first powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer.

They had an idea and the persistence and fortitude to pursue it. What are we at now in manned flight? Mach 3+?

Just think of those folk in their nineties; from candles, horses and kerosene lamps to the Concorde and internet. It really is astounding.

I think successful powered, heavier-than-air flight was probably the greatest invention of the 20th century.

#2: Chia Pets.

#3. Betamax

#4: The Clapper

#5: The Mood Ring

Here's a photo of the main monument to the Wright's atop the hill at Kitty Hawk, made about a month after the 100th anniversary in 2003.

That was a dang cold January day there as I recall, with a near-constant wind blowing across the coastal area. Made me wonder about the grit those two had to stay there in their makeshift wooden building that winter to make that historic flight.

Earl

One of the main reasons the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk was for those constant winds.

As a "bonus" for AMA members, back in 2003-2004 we were offered a two-part video about the way the Wrights achieved their goal. It covered a good bit of their personal history, and showed sequentially their glider development up to the point of adding the engine. Interesting technical stuff.

The set is called "Kitty Hawk: The Wright Brothers' Journey Of Invention".

A really nice touch was having their personal letters read out as part of the narrative. Neil Armstrong provided the voice for Orville, and John Glenn for Wilbur.