Originally shared by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Today in 1903: Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, with their first powered aircraft. This photo was taken as Orville piloted the Wright Flyer on its first flight of the day, which lasted 12 seconds and covered 36 m (120 ft). The fourth and final flight, with Wilbur at the controls, covered 255.6 m (852 ft) in 59 seconds. The Wright brothers had invented the first successful airplane.

Learn more and tour the 1903 Wright Flyer in 3D: http://bit.ly/1uL8ic3