Invention of the Airplane

The airplane was one of the most important inventions in history and has changed transportation forever. Today people comfortably fly the airlines for both business and leisure all the time. It is the fastest, most preferred and most comfortable form of transportation for those venturing to faraway places. Some wealthy people even have their very own private airplanes nowadays, used for both personal and business travel.

Aerodynamics
The period between 1799 and 1809 was important time for airplane development. The basics of aerodynamics were discovered during this time by Sir George Cayley, who then brought the concept of the inclined plane to attention. These planes had ridges in their wings, which the wind passed through to give them lift. Another propelling device was used to push it forward for power and push. The basic discovery of these types of planes confirmed that a flat surface was necessary for providing the needed amount of lift for flying.

Hang Gliders
Otto Lilienthal's hang glider invention inspired the Wright Brothers to begin their quest for developing the first airplane. The hang gliders performed many successful flights. However, they were void of a proper control system and there was no facility equipped to power them with the fuel they required. During these flights, Lilienthal would have to swing his body in order to get the glider to move in the direction he wanted. After Lilienthal died in a glider crash in 1896, the Wright Brothers continued on with the study of flight and airplanes.

After a Hiram Stevens Maxim's failed attempt at a Flying Machine, the Wright Brothers continued to try and overcome the limitations of Mr. Lilienthal's hang glider, using his same idea of the inclined plane in their first airplane. Their first plane had a two propellers and a 12-horsepower petrol engine. They created a biplane with two major wings, one above the other, used to provide a greater lift for the plane. On December 17, 1903, their airplane took its first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight went for 59 seconds, reaching 120 feet high and moving forward 852 feet. Of the four flights that were taken on that day, that first one was still the best.

The "Wing-Warping Method" used by Wright Brothers in their first flight, meant that the wingtips were arched a bit to ensure a rolling motion and balance to the plane. The plane had a three-axis control, rotating along three separate axes and in three different motions: pitch (raises and lowers front of plane), roll (rotation along with longest axis) and yaw (where the horizontal axis is rotated).

The rudder was used for navigation and was attached at the back or tail of the plane. Today's modern airplanes still follow these basic steps set forth by the Wright Brothers so many years ago.

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