Sep 14 2011
A History Of Flight Travel
In 1903, two brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, built and flew the 1st powered airplane in North Carolina. While previous designers had made flying devices, the Wright brothers were the first to build a heavier-than-air machine that they were both able to control and power while in flight. After the invention of modern flight, flight travel has gone from single-manned aircraft used for the military to luxury executive jet charter flights. The fascination with flight has challenged many creators to create devices that could mimic flight, from kites in ancient China to gliders in the Renaissance.
Kites
Able to float in the sky, the kite happened to be the first recorded flying item. The ancient Chinese managed to make oil-lamp kites by implanting lamps inside of paper bags, giving the bag the chance to float in the sky. According to early reports, the Chinese employed these kites not for fun and entertainment but to terrify their enemies into assuming the Chinese had some kind of magical powers. While the early kites scared the enemies of the Chinese, they soon turned into a festival item that was seen across Central and Middle Asia.
Gliders
The earliest classes of gliders were credited to the Europeans. Because of the lift made during flight, a glider was able to glide in the air, carrying the individual. Leonardo Da Vinci recognized for being the initial inventor of the glider; however, historians note the fact that his glider may not have actually been flown because of the materials used in designing it.
Balloons
The earliest accounted balloon flight occurred in 1901 when the “Number 6” flew past the Eiffel Tower, helping inspire other balloon flights. Using hydrogen to power these motorized balloons, these first flights experienced a major drawback because they could easily catch fire if a spark started within the hydrogen chambers as people noticed with the Hindenburg. Before the Hindenburg disaster took place, much of these blimps or Zeppelins as they were referred to were employed as bombers and scouts by the Germans during World War I. The British provided another name for Zeppelins: “Baby-Killers.”
Modern Flight
When the Wright brothers flew their one-man plane on December 17th 1903, they advanced the study of aeronautics by resolving the issue many users saw with drag and lift. Because of their victorious flight, the Wright brothers would help motivate the military to produce combat aircraft during World War II. However, soon after World War II, commercial flights began to take flight, providing flight for the general public. Now, public and private planes allow people to decide on commercial flights or charter a jet for a more private flight experience.
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