17 December - THE WRIGHT BROTHERS FLEW THE FIRST PLANE - Today in History Through Collectibles

Many of the items that collectors on Colnect collect are in fact associated with certain historical events that have taken place over time. This applies especially to Stamps, Phone Cards, Coins and Banknotes. To commemorate these special historical events, countries release special issues of these items that depict images and information relevant to these events.

Through our “Today in History Through Collectibles” Blog we will highlight special events in history by featuring Collectible items from our Colnect Catalogs that are associated with historical events that took place on specific days in history.

17 DECEMBER 1903: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS FLEW THE FIRST PLANE
The Wright brothers, Orville (b. 19.8.1871 - 31.1.1948) and Wilbur (16.4.1867 – 30.5.1912), were two Americans who invented and built the world’s first successful self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft and they made the first flight with it on 17th December 1903.

The petrol-powered, propeller driven biplane stayed airborne for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight and it was piloted by Orville.

Orville and Wilbur Wright gained their mechanical skills required for their success by working in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery. From 1900 until their first powered flights in late 1903, they conducted extensive glider tests that also developed their skills as pilots.
The Wright brothers were also the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing powered flight possible. Their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium was a fundamental breakthrough in flight. This method became standard and remains standard on fixed-wing aircrafts of all kinds.

From the beginning of their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on unlocking the secrets of control to conquer "the flying problem", rather than developing more powerful engines as some other experimenters did. Their careful wind tunnel tests produced better aeronautical data than any before, enabling them to design and build wings and propellers more effective than had ever been done.
In 1909, the U.S. Army's Signal Corps purchased a specially constructed plane, and the brothers founded the Wright Company to build and market their aircraft.

Wilbur Wright died in 1912 of typhoid fever while Orville lived until 1948.
The historic Wright brothers' aircraft of 1903 is on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Collectibles on Colnect that Commemmorate This Day in History:

➢ PHONECARDS:
These are a few of the phonecards issued by different countries to commemorate the historic first flight by the Wright brothers:

          

➢ STAMPS:
Several countries released stamps to commemorate and celebrate the Wright brothers' great achievement:

                

HAPPY COLLECTING!!! :)