The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are famous inventors who are known for inventing the airplane. They were born in Dayton, Ohio, and were interested in science and engineering from a young age. Here are some interesting facts about the Wright Brothers for kids.
1. The Wright Brothers were the first people to fly a heavier-than-air machine. On December 17, 1903, they made history by flying their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, for 12 seconds and traveling 120 feet at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
2. Before they started working on airplanes, the Wright Brothers owned a bicycle shop. They used their knowledge of mechanics and aerodynamics from building bicycles to help them design and build their first aircraft.
3. The Wright Brothers made several improvements to their design over the years, including adding ailerons (a type of control device) for better maneuverability and a more powerful engine for longer flights.
4. The Wright Brothers were not the only ones working on flying machines at the time. There were many other inventors and engineers who were trying to create a flying machine. However, the Wright Brothers’ design was the first to be successful.
5. The first airplane flight by the Wright Brothers only lasted for 12 seconds, but they continued to improve their design and make longer flights. In 1908, they flew a plane for 2 hours and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 116 miles.
6. The Wright Brothers’ airplane was made mostly of wood and fabric, and weighed only 605 pounds. Today’s modern airplanes are much more complex and can weigh over 400,000 pounds.
7. The Wright Brothers’ legacy lives on today, as their invention has revolutionized the way we travel and explore the world. They are considered to be pioneers in aviation and are remembered as heroes in history.
