Between the first flights of the Wright brothers in 1903 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the airplane grew from an ancient dream into a reality that would shape the future of humanity.

A woman hangs from behind the wing of an airplane, looking towards the camera. A man sits in the cockpit, also looking toward the camera.

Between the first flights of the Wright brothers in 1903 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the airplane grew from an ancient dream into a reality that would shape the future of humanity.

A woman hangs from behind the wing of an airplane, looking towards the camera. A man sits in the cockpit, also looking toward the camera.

Stories

Balloon Expert Reacts to the Bridgerton Runaway Balloon Scene Silver and Gold
Conservation Treatment of Gilmore the Flying Lion: Treatment Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight AirSpace Bonus! Wronging the Wrights

Exhibitions

Learn more World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Learn more Pre-1920 Aviation Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA

Learning Resources

Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Bessie Coleman - Spanish Packet of experiments and other interactive activities to expand topics connected to Bessie Coleman and early flight. These activities connect to common core and Next Generation Science standards. https://s.si.edu/BessieColemanPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aviation, Aircraft, Women, Records and Firsts, African American or Black people, Early flight

Teacher

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Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish A mix of activities from experiments to writing activities. Expand learning on concepts connected to the Wright Brothers and Early Flight. These activities connect to standards of learning. https://s.si.edu/WrightBrothersPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aircraft, Balloons, Aviation, Early flight, People, Records and Firsts

Teacher

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Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Amelia Earhart - Spanish Materials that comprise of experiments, crafts, and activities created to help expand the topics connected to Amelia Earhart and early flight. These materials are connected to Learning Standards. https://s.si.edu/AmeliaEarhartPreandPostVisitmaterials_es_us Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Aviation, Aircraft, Early flight, People, Women, Records and Firsts

Teacher

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Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Barnstorming Pilots, Flying Circuses and Air Shows" This story is about the incredible flying circuses in the pioneering days of flight. https://youtu.be/V1o84iybFkM Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 Aviation, Early flight, General aviation, Science

Student

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Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Bessie Coleman" This story is about the pioneering pilot Bessie Coleman, with sketches by museum educator Diane Kidd. https://youtu.be/7gPF9IzlfcE Grade PK, Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 African American or Black people, Aviation, Early flight

Student

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STEM in 30: The Wright Stuff: Flying the Wright Flyer Join STEM in 30 as we investigate the principals of flight and how the Wright Flyer made it into the air and into the history books. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnML3I-yYyo Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Aircraft, Early flight, Aviation

Student

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Publications

Learn more Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum Learn more First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race