Orville Wright

Profession: Aviator

Nationality:

Biography: Orville Wright, together with his brother Wilbur Wright, revolutionized transportation with the invention of the airplane.

The Wright brothers' early interest in flight was sparked by a toy helicopter their father brought home when they were children. They began their experimental journey into aviation by studying the flights of birds and later transitioned to designing and testing kites and gliders. Their experiments led to the development of three-axis control, a system still used in all fixed-wing aircraft to this day.

On December 17, 1903, Orville piloted the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight, covering 120 feet in 12 seconds. This event, which took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marked a significant milestone in human history. The Wright brothers continued refining their designs and in 1905 built the Wright Flyer III, which was capable of fully controllable, stable flight for significant distances.

Orville also served on various aviation boards and commissions, including a 1920 appointment to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a precursor to today's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Despite the profound impact of his and his brother's work, Orville remained modest and reserved throughout his life.

Born: August 19, 1871
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, USA
Star Sign: Leo

Died: January 30, 1948 (aged 76)
Cause of Death: Heart attack