National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
On View Exhibition
Wilbur and Orville Wright inaugurated the aerial age with their historic first powered airplane flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. The brothers used this stopwatch to time the flights. The first effort covered 120 feet in 12 seconds. On the best of the four flights made that day, the Wright Flyer traveled 852 feet in 59 seconds.
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
Date
c. 1903
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
MEMORABILIA-People
Manufacturer
Gallet
Physical Description
Hand-held stopwatch, nickel plated with white face and black Arabic numerals (increments of 5, 5-60). Smaller inset dial above second hand mount to record minutes (1-10, increments of 1). "The Sun" in black script immediately below second hand mount. Plain back, no cover over crystal. Mechanism visible through glass when back opened. Markings stamped inside back cover.
Dimensions
3-D: 5.5 × 2 × 7.5cm (2 3/16 × 13/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
Materials
Overall: Brass, copper, steel, nickel plated
Watch Face: Porcelain
Inventory Number
A19640054000
Credit Line
Donated by Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, Inc.
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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