Discover the importance of the biplane, and how it changed the world forever!

Jump to Section:      Comparing Biplanes and Monoplanes      Airplane Anatomy      Timeline      Craft Activity      Story Time Recommendations      Spotlight Story

Comparing Biplanes and Monoplanes

An illustration of two biplanes, planes with the wings stacked atop each other.

This is an illustration of biplanes. 

Biplanes

  • Have two wings stacked one on top of the other
  • Were the first successful type of airplane
  • Were the main type of airplane until the 1920s
  • Are still around today for air shows and aerobatics 
An illustration of a plane with one wing on each side.

This is an illustration of a monoplane. 

Monoplanes

  • Have one set of wings
  • Were invented in 1906, three years after the biplane 
  • Were not strong enough when first invented because of the need for longer wings
  • Replaced biplanes as the main type of airplane when engines became powerful enough to move them through the air fast enough

Understanding how things fly begins by learning about the four forces of flight.

Watch this video to learn more about drag and the other forces of flight. 

Think About It!
In this video, the engine helped move the airplane forward which balanced against the drag on the plane. 

Look at the airplanes in the images above. Which type of airplane do you think has more drag—the biplane or the monoplane? Why?

Airplane Anatomy

Play Full Screen

Timeline: Biplanes Throughout History!

Craft Activity: Make a Paper Towel Biplane

Materials Needed: 

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Paper towel, or toilet paper roll 
  • 3-4 pieces of computer paper 
  • Crayons, or markers (optional)

Think About It!
How does your biplane look similar to the Wright brothers' airplane? How is it different? 

Story Time Recommendations

A book cover with a young girl staring up at an old airplane in flight.

Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

by Kirsten Larson, illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Best for ages 7-10

Learn about this early innovator who worked to improve upon the Wright brothers’ design to create a more comfortable flying machine. 
 

A book cover with the title "Airplanes: Soaring! Diving! Turning!" shows a red biplane being piloted.

Airplanes: Soaring, Diving, Turning

by Patricia Hubbell, illustrated by Sean Addy and Megan Halsey 
Best for ages 2-5

This fun book for young children describes the different types of airplanes and their jobs.
 

Book cover for a children's book about the Tuskegee Airmen featuring an illustration of a man, his dog, and a child preparing to fly a biplane.

Wind Flyers

By Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long
Best for ages 5-9

Follow along as a boy learns about his great-great uncle's love of flying which lead him to become one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.
 

Spotlight Story: Blanche Stuart Scott, pilot

  • A grainy black and white photograph of two women in a car in 1910.
    Download Image

    Blanche Stuart Scott was an aviation icon, and set many records for women in the field. She was the first woman professional flyer and test pilot, and was the first woman in her class to pilot a biplane.
     

  • A woman on the left wears an an aviator's hat, she stands next two a woman and a man.
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    Blanche was born on April 8th, 1889 in Rochester, New York. She was known for being a rebel from an early age. When she was 13, Blanche wanted to drive a car in the city, but the Rochester City council objected to it. Since there was no age restriction at this time, Blanche won the case and continued to adventure around freely. 
     

  • A poster with text that reads "Miss Blanche Scott" with a picture of a plane and a woman.
    Download Image

    In 1910, Blanche became the first woman to drive an automobile across the country. She and a local newspaper writer covered 6,000 miles in two months! They started in New York and went all the way to San Francisco. 
     

  • A women in a pilot's cap looks to the right.
    Download Image

    After her cross country trip, Blanche was ready for more adventure. She was accepted into aviation school, under the tutelage of Glenn H. Curtiss, and was his first and only woman student. Here, she rode the biplane, and piloted it by herself. This was a never before seen act for a woman. 
     

  • A postage stamp showing an illustration of a woman in an aviator's cap. Behind her is a biplane in flight.
    Download Image

    Blanche set records and made headlines when she became America’s first female professional flier when she joined Curtiss’ Exhibition Team. During this time, she became the first woman test pilot, flew the first long distance flight made by a woman, and was the first American woman to ride in a jet.
     

  • Blanche Stuart Scott
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    Blanche retired from flying in 1916, and became interested in many different careers. She worked on radio shows, Hollywood studios, and even tried screenwriting. Eventually, she made her way back to aviation when she began working for the United States Air Force Museum in 1954.

    Blanche was the first in her field for many milestones!

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  • A grainy black and white photograph of two women in a car in 1910.
  • A woman on the left wears an an aviator's hat, she stands next two a woman and a man.
  • A poster with text that reads "Miss Blanche Scott" with a picture of a plane and a woman.
  • A women in a pilot's cap looks to the right.
  • A postage stamp showing an illustration of a woman in an aviator's cap. Behind her is a biplane in flight.
  • Blanche Stuart Scott

Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.

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