1871 – 1948
Orville Wright was one of a pair of Dayton brothers who taught the world to fly. After dropping out of school in 1889, he started a printing business by building a press with his brother Wilbur. The Wrights became intrigued with the bicycle and eventually opened
a bicycle repair shop and showroom. Soon they began working on an improved bicycle design. In 1896, Orville Wright came down with typhoid fever. While reading to pass the time during his recuperation, Wright became interested in gliders and flight. They quickly read all the information available to them at the time. Of the
three components required for human flight: lift, locomotion, and control, Orville’s interests focused on the development of the engine that would power the aircraft. Working with Charlie Taylor, he built an engine in their shop. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright was the first man to fly with a flight of 120 feet in 12 seconds.