1909: Louis Bleriot
In 1909 Louis Bleriot was the first person to fly an airplane across the English Channel, a stretch of water about 20 miles (30 kilometres) across. By doing this, Belriot won a prize of 1000 pounds, a very large amount in those days. This video is in French, but shows actual film from Bleriot’s crossing in 1909…...
1908: Henri Farman
In 1908 Henri Farman, a Frenchman, was the first person to be officially recorded as flying a distance of one kilometre. He went on to set many records, including flying the first airplane to carry 3...
1903: The Wright Brothers
Orville Wright’s first flight lasted 12 seconds and he travelled 120 feet (37 metres, about 3/4 the length of an Olympic swimming pool). He and his brother Wilbur took turns and they gradually flew farther. These first flights took place at some sand dunes near the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the United States of America, on December 3rd, 1903. This video will give you an idea of these crazy guys and their amazing...
1891: Otto Lilienthal
Glider Pioneer Otto was one of the most courageous fathers of modern flight. Before the Wright Brothers ever thought to build the first powered plane brave men like Otto were learning about flying by building and flying experimental gliders. Many lessons were learned that later helped people like the Wrights. Otto did not have other people to copy to learn how to build his gliders. In fact, Otto and his brother Gustav learned many of...
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