The Wright Flyer designed by Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers’ “Wright Flyer” is considered a miracle of modern aviation, according to the Smithsonian Institute, since it was the “first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard.”
We honor this achievement, yet by today’s standards, this plane would be labeled a disaster. Consider this: the plane could only fly for 59 seconds at a time, making it difficult for the pilots to maneuver safely. It could only fly for 852 feet, which was a remarkable achievement at the time, but a failure in today’s world of planes.