Orville Wright

Early Life and Fascination with Flight

Orville Wright was an American inventor, engineer, and aviator who, along with his older brother Wilbur, is credited with making the first controlled, powered, and sustained heavier-than-air human flight in 1903. He was born in 1871 in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in a family that encouraged learning. He developed an interest in flying machines from an early age. His father’s gift of a toy helicopter, based on French aeronautical pioneer Alphonse Pénaud’s invention, sparked a lifelong fascination with flight.

Developing an Interest in Kites and Entrepreneurship

Orville’s inquisitive nature and love for kites led him to create his own designs. After the Wright Family moved to Richmond, Indiana, in 1881, Orville nurtured his kite-making skills. When the family returned to Ohio in 1884, Orville enrolled in Dayton Central High School. However, his interests in entrepreneurship took precedence over his formal education.

Opening the Bicycle Shop and Interest in Aeronautics

Following the tragic passing of their mother, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, opened a bicycle shop in 1892. Their expertise in mechanics and engineering made them successful businessmen. However, their true passion lay in aeronautics.

Inspired by Otto Lilienthal’s Research

Motivated by the untimely demise of German aviator Otto Lilienthal, whose research they admired, the Wright brothers became convinced of the possibility of human flight.

Choosing Kitty Hawk for Experiments

Orville and Wilbur chose Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, as the place where they would fly their planes due to the steady winds and soft sand. Utilizing their keen observation of birds’ wing angles and control mechanisms, Orville and Wilbur developed a unique design concept that had eluded their predecessors. They introduced the concept of “wing warping” and incorporated a movable rudder, which allowed for greater control during flight. The brothers meticulously experimented and refined their designs until they were ready for a historic moment.

The Historic First Flight in 1903

In 1903, Orville Wright piloted the first flight that lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The brothers continued to conduct a few more flights that day, with the longest lasting 59 seconds and covering 852 feet.

Plane Crash and Continued Aviation Efforts

Orville was seriously injured in a plane crash in 1908 that resulted in the death of his passenger, Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge. After recovering from his injuries, he continued to fly his aircraft.

Formation of the Wright Company

He formed the Wright Company along with his brother to manufacture and sell their airplanes. They also trained pilots and established flying schools. Despite their initial success, their achievement was met with skepticism, which made it challenging to fund their experiments. Wilbur still decided to travel to Europe to seek financial backing, while Orville demonstrated their flying machine in Washington, D.C., hoping to secure government and army contracts.

Securing Contracts and Expanding Aviation

In July 1909, Orville successfully completed demonstration flights for the U.S. Army after incorporating a passenger seat in them as per the requirement. They sold their airplane to the U.S. Army for $30,000, thereby opening the doors to contracts in Europe and the United States.

Later Years and Retirement

Wilbur passed away in 1912, making Orville the sole owner of the company. However, Orville was more interested in aeronautical advancements than the business side of the company, and he sold his share in the company in 1915 and retired from business. He passed away in 1948 at the age of 76.