Kitty HawkKitty Hawk was the site chosen by the Wright brothers to test their gliders and airplanes. Kitty Hawk is the name of a small village on the coast of North Carolina, and it was an ideal location because of its open space and steady winds (both were provided by its location on the ocean). The Wright brothers were given permission to test their airplanes at Kitty Hawk, and despite its unpredictable conditions (once again, due to its location on the ocean), the small village on the coast of North Carolina was witness to the first successful airplane flight. The windy conditions at Kitty Hawk helped the Wright brothers get their first airplane off the ground, which would lead to new technological advancements in aviation during the roaring twenties.
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The Wright GliderThe Wright Glider was one of the early designs of the first successful airplane. It focused on controlling the altitude of the plane, and the horizontal direction. The Wrights used an elevator to move the center of gravity of the glider as needed. This was different from previous attempt to fly, such as Otto Lilienthal's attempt to shift his body around in order to change the center gravity. This showed an improvement in aeronautical technology even before the first successful plane was built. The shape of the wings on the first Wright Glider was also new to the field. Previously, wings had been curved so that the high point of the curve was in the middle of the wing. The Wright brothers however, put the curve close to the front of the wing, in order to make the glider more stable and easier to steer. The advances made in creating the first Wright Glider were vital to the field of aviation. In the 1920s, when airplanes would be used as means to transport cargo, the same techniques would be used to build planes. In fact, the equations the Wright brothers used to find the lift and drag on the wings of the glider are more or less the same equations used to calculate the lift and drag on airplane wings today!
FAQs Q: How long was the wingspan of the Wright Glider? A: 17 ft Q: How tall was the Wright Glider? A: 4 ft 3 in Q: How much did the Wright Glider weigh? A: 52 lbs |
The first glider built by the Wright Brothers, after being smashed into the sand at Kitty Hawk by a gust of wind.
The 1900 version of the Wright Glider (the first version).
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The 1901 Wright GliderThe second version of the Wright Glider, known as the 1901 Glider, was said to be the most problematic glider. With increased weight and length, the Wright brothers experience problems with steering and take off. Once again the elevator was used to change the center of gravity. Also, a structure similar to that of the first Glider was used. When compared to the first Glider, the 1901 Glider nearly doubled the area of the wings, which, unfortunately proved to be problematic. Though the Wrights were able to glide for up to 300 feet on one of the largest gliders ever made, they still failed to reach their goal of a 'practical' airplane. Once again, trail and error, and most of all perseverance, would prove important for the advancement of aviation technology.
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The second version of the Wright Glider (finished in 1901).
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The 1902 Wright GliderThe Wright brothers traditionally flew every new glider as a kite before climbing aboard, and the 1902 Glider was no different. After adding a vertical rudder to improve steering capabilities as well as moving from a double to single rudder, the Wrights seemed to have solved the control issue. Furthermore, the wings were made straighter and thinner in order to improve take off capabilities. Despite not yet reaching their goal of a practical aircraft, the Wright brothers did manage to create the world's first controllable aircraft with the completion of the 1902 Glider. Orville and Wilbur had once again made an advancement in technology that would improve business practices and entertainment in 1920s. However, they weren't finished yet.
FAQs Q: How long was the wingspan of the 1902 Glider? A: 32 ft Q: How tall was the 1902 Glider? A: 8 ft Q: How much did the 1902 Glider weigh? A: 117 lbs |
The third version of the Wright Glider (finished in 1902).
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