History of Airplanes

First recorded jump from tower with wings

887

Abbas Ibn Firnas makes first recorded jump from a tower using man made bird-like wings.

First ornithopter plans are drawn

1490

Leonardo Da Vinci draws plans for an ornithopter; flying machine with wings meant to carry a man.

First Gliders Are Created

1799

Gliders are created and designed by George Cayley. He improves his designs; they are successful and allow man to glide short distances.

First successful ornithopter flight

1871

This was the first successful ornithopter flight in France

First gliders developed to fly long distance

1891

Otto Lilienthal develops first gliders to fly long distances with a person. He writes a book on aerodynamics in 1889, which was eventually used by the Wright Brothers to design their airplanes.

First Aerodrome created

1891

Samuel Langley builds a plane he calls the aerodrome that uses an engine. His small model flies for 3/4 mile and is the first successful unpiloted flight.

"Progress in Flying Machines"

1894

Octave Chanute publishes "Progress in Flying Machines". It includes information on all technical knowledge on aviation accomplishments.

Claims about the first successful flight

1901

Gustave Weibkopf also known as Gustave Whitehead claims to have carried out the first successful, controlled, powered flight in his monoplane in Fair Field, Connecticut.

The Wight Brothers

1903

First official manned, controlled, powered flight in Kitty hawk, North Carolina. It was carried out by The Wright Brothers.

World War Two

1930

World War Two requires incredible advancements in aviation technology. New, jet powered air craft emerges. This occured in the time period of the 1930's through the 1940's