National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
On View Exhibition
The famous telegram sent home to Dayton, Ohio, from Kitty Hawk, N.C., by the Wright brothers after their successful flights on December 17, 1903, was sent using this telegraph key. The text of the telegram was as follows:
"Success four flights Thursday morning all against twenty-one mile per hour wind started from level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty-one miles longest 57 seconds inform press home Christmas. Orevelle Wright."
There were two errors in transmission. The flight was actually 59 seconds in duration and Orville's name was misspelled.
Display Status
This object is on display in Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Communications Devices
Manufacturer
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
Physical Description
Telegraph key mounted on pine base, knob broken off. Key lever and sounder hammer are ferrous metal, other metal components non-ferrous. Wiring mounted in grooves on underside of base. 150 ohms. Used to send news of Wright brothers' first flights on Decemebr 17, 1903.
Dimensions
3-D (1225g): 25.1 × 12.9 × 7.7cm, 1.2kg (9 7/8 × 5 1/16 × 3 1/16 in., 2.6lb.)
Materials
Metal (non-ferrous and ferrous), wood
Inventory Number
A19710854000
Credit Line
Gift of the Estate of Beverly Griffith.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.
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