Mitchell+Wayman


 * Oriville Wright**: 1871-1948 **Wilbur Wright**: 1867-1912



**Invention: Date Discovered: December 17, 1903 ** The invention of the airplane changed aeronautics forever. The airplane has changed many ways people travel and communicate. This life altering invention was given its’ wings by two brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright. The brothers built the plane by testing gliders first, and then they built a four-cylinder engine that would propel the plane at 31mph. The first flights turned up little results, but after Wilbur took the helm, the craft flew an astounding 59 seconds, covering a distance of 852ft. The Wright brothers educated themselves on aeronautic engineering, and through hard work they received a patent and in 1909, the Wright brothers formed the American Wright Company, with Wilbur taking the lead in setting up and directing the business. After Wilbur’s death in 1912, Orville took over and later sold the company. =  =