The Invention of the Airplane
The Invention of the Airplane

The 20th century was dominated by many significant  developments and technological advances.  
The 20th century was dominated by many significant  developments and technological advances.  

Right at the start of it was the defining moment  
Right at the start of it was the defining moment  

when the American Wright Brothers  flew the first ever powered aircraft.  
when the American Wright Brothers  flew the first ever powered aircraft.  

This historical moment took place on December  17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA.
This historical moment took place on December  17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA.

That dream of flying did not start there  though. More than a century before the  
That dream of flying did not start there  though. More than a century before the  

Wright Brothers’ revolutionary invention, there  were hot air balloons, wings strapped to arms  
Wright Brothers’ revolutionary invention, there  were hot air balloons, wings strapped to arms  

and kites mounted on sticks to create a kind  of glider effect. But it was Wilbur & Orville  
and kites mounted on sticks to create a kind  of glider effect. But it was Wilbur & Orville  

Wright who were the first to ever use a ‘sustained  and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight’.
Wright who were the first to ever use a ‘sustained  and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight’.

They took four cracks at it and the  longest recorded flight that day  
They took four cracks at it and the  longest recorded flight that day  

was 259 metres (852ft) in 59 seconds. Hard to  imagine now but think about this…only 10 years  
was 259 metres (852ft) in 59 seconds. Hard to  imagine now but think about this…only 10 years  

earlier in 1893, the first gasoline powered  car had just been introduced to the world.  
earlier in 1893, the first gasoline powered  car had just been introduced to the world.  

The evolution of transportation was thriving!
The evolution of transportation was thriving!

The world’s first commercial airline flight  - a small, two passenger plane (basically  
The world’s first commercial airline flight  - a small, two passenger plane (basically  

a flying boat) - took place on January 1st,  1914 in Florida. Flying from St. Petersburg,  
a flying boat) - took place on January 1st,  1914 in Florida. Flying from St. Petersburg,  

in one part of the state, to Tampa,  in another part, 27 kilometres away,  
in one part of the state, to Tampa,  in another part, 27 kilometres away,  

took just 23 minutes and paved the way for  today’s transcontinental flights. The airline made  
took just 23 minutes and paved the way for  today’s transcontinental flights. The airline made  

2 flights daily, 6 days a week and a ticket  cost $5…that was a big spend in those days!
2 flights daily, 6 days a week and a ticket  cost $5…that was a big spend in those days!

Airplanes then went on to play a huge role  
Airplanes then went on to play a huge role  

in World War I as their  fighting ability became clear.
in World War I as their  fighting ability became clear.

In April 1924, four airplanes  set off from Washington, USA,  
In April 1924, four airplanes  set off from Washington, USA,  

with 8 Army Air Service pilots to complete  the first ever circumnavigation of the globe  
with 8 Army Air Service pilots to complete  the first ever circumnavigation of the globe  

by air. Amazingly, and much to their own surprise,  they all successfully completed the trip 175 days  
by air. Amazingly, and much to their own surprise,  they all successfully completed the trip 175 days  

and 27,550 miles later. The  aviation industry was unstoppable.
and 27,550 miles later. The  aviation industry was unstoppable.

Fast forward almost 100 years later to 2019,  (let’s just put Covid aside for the moment!)  
Fast forward almost 100 years later to 2019,  (let’s just put Covid aside for the moment!)  

where approximately 4.5 billion passengers  took 42 million flights worldwide…wow,  
where approximately 4.5 billion passengers  took 42 million flights worldwide…wow,  

that is some carbon footprint!
that is some carbon footprint!

On that very subject, the aviation  industry’s most recent goals  
On that very subject, the aviation  industry’s most recent goals  

are to create more environmentally friendly,  
are to create more environmentally friendly,  

quieter, cheaper airplanes that will release  fewer harmful emissions. Let’s hope they work on  
quieter, cheaper airplanes that will release  fewer harmful emissions. Let’s hope they work on  

those queues at check-in whilst they’re at it! A few interesting aviation facts to finish -
those queues at check-in whilst they’re at it! A few interesting aviation facts to finish -

- It is estimated that the odds of dying in  an airplane crash are 1 in 9,821 (compared  
- It is estimated that the odds of dying in  an airplane crash are 1 in 9,821 (compared  

to 1 in 114 in a car crash). That is equal to 1  fatal accident per 16 million flights. So there,  
to 1 in 114 in a car crash). That is equal to 1  fatal accident per 16 million flights. So there,  

nothing to fear, start packing your suitcase!
nothing to fear, start packing your suitcase!

- The busiest airport in the world is Guangzhou  
- The busiest airport in the world is Guangzhou  

Baiyun in China, serving around  43 million passengers annually.
Baiyun in China, serving around  43 million passengers annually.

- The Wright Brothers, though  clearly very intelligent,  
- The Wright Brothers, though  clearly very intelligent,  

both attended high school,  but did not receive diplomas.
both attended high school,  but did not receive diplomas.

- Amelia Earhart is the most famous  woman in the world of aviation  
- Amelia Earhart is the most famous  woman in the world of aviation  

after becoming the first female pilot to  fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932.  
after becoming the first female pilot to  fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932.  

Sadly, she lost her life attempting  to circumnavigate the globe in 1937.
Sadly, she lost her life attempting  to circumnavigate the globe in 1937.