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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.

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Deep dives

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Orville and Wilbur Wright Deep dive

The Wright Brothers

A sepia tone photograph, in the foreground are fashionably dressed people from the early 1900s, in the background are hot air balloons. Deep dive

Flight Before the Airplane


Wall Slide Deep dive

Innovative People in Early Flight

A simple aircraft in the air. Deep dive

Power and Control in the Air

A biplane sits on a long wooden rail on the ground. A group of people stand behind it. Deep dive

Researching the Wright Way

Circular metal box with monoplane and pilot in a cloudy sky painted on the lid. Image surrounded by narrow gold border. Sides and bottom metallic red. Deep dive

The Airplane in Early 20th Century Culture

Stories

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A person is engaged in assembling a kite structure inside a room, focusing intently on adjusting a component of the structure. Story

Conserving Historic Aviation Models

A vibrant hydrogen balloon with intricate blue and gold designs floats above a bustling outdoor event set against a cloudy sky. Below, several white tents are set up in a grassy park, with groups of people mingling and walking around. Story

Balloon Expert Reacts to the Bridgerton Runaway Balloon Scene

Detail of ornate sterling silver trophy sits featuring a gold lined silver cup with an angel arms extended holding a Wright military flyer. Story

Silver and Gold

Two images side by side of a taxidermy lion. Story

Conservation Treatment of Gilmore the Flying Lion: Treatment

An artist's concept of the Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight exhibition. In the center is a hanging silver airplane, a red airplane peaks out of the right. There are vertical panels with information on it. Story

Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight

On demand

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Video

Amelia Earhart: Pioneering Feminist

  • May 16, 2022
Video

The Story a Photo Tells - Wright Brothers' First Flight

  • January 11, 2021
Video

Air and Space Live Chat: Wright Bros

  • May 21, 2020
Video

The Airplane's Family Tree: From the Wright Brothers to Today - STEM in 30

  • December 16, 2017
Video

Inventing the Airplane, Changing the World

  • August 30, 2017

From the Collection

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Canard biplane with two pusher propellers, cream colored fabric, and wood frame, set against a black background.

1903 Wright Flyer

Object
Hang glider with natural color fabric over exposed wooden framework. A white mannequin is set inside the frame ring highlighting the hand grip and backrest configuration.

Lilienthal Glider

Object
Beige parachute, seen as if mounted on a mannequin.

Parachute, Tiny Broadwick

Object

Exhibitions

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Inside a gallery, the photograph showcases four World War I era biplanes, one sitting on the ground and three hanging as though in flight. In the back corner is also a balloon basket. On the right wall are a variety of other artifacts. Exhibition

World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation

  • National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
  • On View Exhibition
Nieuport 28C.1 at the Udvar-Hazy Center Exhibition

Pre-1920 Aviation

  • Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
  • On View Exhibition

Learning Resources

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Activity/Lab Document

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.

More Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Bessie Coleman - Spanish
Less Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Bessie Coleman - Spanish
Grade Level

Grade K

,

Grade 1

, and

Grade 2

Topics
Aviation, Aircraft, Women, Records and Firsts, African American or Black people, and Early flight
Leader

Teacher

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://s.si.edu/BessieColemanPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us
Activity/Lab Document

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.

More Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish
Less Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Wright Brothers - Spanish
Grade Level

Grade K

,

Grade 1

, and

Grade 2

Topics
Aircraft, Balloons, Aviation, Early flight, People, and Records and Firsts
Leader

Teacher

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://s.si.edu/WrightBrothersPreandPostVisitMaterials_es_us
Activity/Lab Document

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.

More Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Amelia Earhart - Spanish
Less Flights of Fancy Story Time Field Trip Pre and Post Visit Materials - Amelia Earhart - Spanish
Grade Level

Grade K

,

Grade 1

, and

Grade 2

Topics
Aviation, Aircraft, Early flight, People, Women, and Records and Firsts
Leader

Teacher

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://s.si.edu/AmeliaEarhartPreandPostVisitmaterials_es_us
Activity/Lab Video

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.

More Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Barnstorming Pilots, Flying Circuses and Air Shows"
Less Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Barnstorming Pilots, Flying Circuses and Air Shows"
Grade Level

Grade PK

,

Grade K

,

Grade 1

,

Grade 2

, and

Grade 3

Topics
Aviation, Early flight, General aviation, and Science
Leader

Student

,

Teacher

, and

Parent/Caregiver

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://youtu.be/V1o84iybFkM
Activity/Lab Video

Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Bessie Coleman"

This story is about the pioneering pilot Bessie Coleman, with sketches by museum educator Diane Kidd.

More Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Bessie Coleman"
Less Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Bessie Coleman"
Grade Level

Grade PK

,

Grade K

,

Grade 1

,

Grade 2

, and

Grade 3

Topics
African American or Black people, Aviation, and Early flight
Leader

Student

,

Teacher

, and

Parent/Caregiver

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://youtu.be/7gPF9IzlfcE
Activity/Lab Video

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.

More STEM in 30: The Wright Stuff: Flying the Wright Flyer
Less STEM in 30: The Wright Stuff: Flying the Wright Flyer
Grade Level

Grade 6

,

Grade 7

, and

Grade 8

Topics
Aircraft, Early flight, and Aviation
Leader

Student

Rights

cc-by-nc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnML3I-yYyo

Publications

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Milestones of Flight Book Cover Publication

Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum

First Flight Around the World Publication

First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race

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