What Is Wright Brothers Day? Facts And Quotes Of Aviation Pioneers

On Dec. 17 every year, the United States celebrates Wright Brothers Day to mark the first successful flight by two Ohio brothers who went on to become aviation pioneers.

On this day, Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright made history by conducting the first successful flight in heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled craft in 1903 — 113 years ago — in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wright Flyer, the brothers’ first aircraft, reached 120 feet in the air for 12 seconds during its maiden flight. The brothers achieved the feat despite no formal knowledge of engineering. This was the world’s first successful plane with controls that allowed the pilot to steer it.

Wilbur was born April 16, 1867, and Orville Aug. 19, 1871. Interestingly, neither brother earned even a high school diploma. Wilbur — the elder of the two — completed four years of high school before his family moved to Dayton, Ohio. He was unable to receive his diploma. On the other hand, Orville dropped out of high school before his senior year to start a printing business, which Wilbur joined in 1889.

Orville, the younger brother, was the first to actually be airborne, despite losing a coin toss to Wilbur. On their first attempt on Dec. 14, 1903, which Wilbur piloted, they were unsuccessful. After three days, Orville made the successful flight by flying the plane that moved down a guiding rail. Wilbur ran alongside to balance the machine.

After their success, the two brothers continued their aircraft development. Neither of them ever married.

Following are some quotes from the Wright Brothers:

“It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.” — Wilbur Wright

“If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, there would be little hope of advance.” — Orville Wright

“I confess that in 1901 I said to my brother Orville that man would not fly for fifty years.” — Wilbur Wright

“Isn’t it astonishing that all these secrets have been preserved for so many years just so we could discover them!” — Orville Wright

“Men become wise just as they become rich, more by what they save than by what they receive.” — Wilbur Wright

“If birds can glide for long periods of time, then… why can’t I?” — Orville Wright

“There is no sport equal to that which aviators enjoy while being carried through the air on great white wings.” — Wilbur Wright

“With all the knowledge and skill acquired in thousands of flights in the last 10 years, I would hardly think today of making my first flight on a strange machine in a twenty-seven mile wind, even if I knew that the machine had already been flown and was safe.” — Orville Wright

“The fact that the great scientist believed in flying machines was the one thing that encouraged us to begin our studies.” — Wilbur Wright

“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through.” — Orville Wright