Student Rockets, National Parks gallery
Casings from student rockets that were assembled, fired, and recovered all in one day recently.
First Attempts! - National Parks Gallery
Orville and Wilbur Wright's 1900 Glider Flying as a Kite Public domain photograph of aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Langley Aerodrome, Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1903.
Just nine days before the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, Samuel P. Langley, the third director and secretary of the Smithsonian had failed to prove that his man-carrying aerodrome could fly first when it c... More
1903 Sculpture: Flyer - National Parks Gallery
Life-size sculpture of 1903 Flyer
Camp buildings, National Parks gallery
Reconstructed buildings where the Wright brothers lived and stored the flyer while conducting their experiments in 1903.
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Engine
The four-cylinder, gasoline powered,12 horsepower engine had no fuel pump, carburetor, spark plugs or throttle. The engine ran at only one speed and was controlled by adjusting a small fuel valve, which was con... More
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Water Reservoir
Water from this long, narrow tank flowed into the engine and absorbed heat from the area surrounding the cylinders, keeping the engine from overheating. Cool water from the tank flowed into the engine as the wa... More
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Hip Cradle
The Wrights steered their 1903 Flyer using a hip cradle, which the pilot controlled by sliding his hips from side to side. This cradle was connected to the plane's wingtips with wires and caused the wings to wa... More
Close-up of 1903 Sculpture: Orville
Orville Wright is shown lying in the pilot's seat of the 1903 Flyer in the Centennial Sculpture.
Gliders in 2011 - National Parks Gallery
Wing to wing, two gliders sit before the Wright Brothers Monument during the 2011 celebration of Orville's historic record-setting flight of 9 minutes, 45 seconds. The glider on the left is a Bowlus Baby Albatr... More
1903 Wright Flyer Sculpture - Public Domain image, National Parks Gall...
Closeup of the 1903 flyer sculpture.
Camp Buildings, National Parks gallery
Reconstructions of the 1903 building where Wilbur and Orville lived and worked while they were in the Outer Banks
1903 Flyer Reproduction - National Parks Gallery
An authentic reproduction of the Wrights' 1903 Flyer is on display in the Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center.
Grounded Liftoff - National Parks Gallery
During the 110th Anniversary of First Flight, a plane flies over the First Flight Boulder, which commemorates the location the Wright brothers first left the ground in their 1903 Flyer.
First Flight Boulder - National Parks Gallery
Stone marking where Orville Wright first left the ground in the 1903 Wright Flyer.
Replica Wires, National Parks gallery
Close-up view of the replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer showing the wires, cotton wings, and wooden supports.
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Propellers
The Wright brothers designed and made their own propellers from two layers of spruce. They worked like rotating wings producing a horizontal lift, or thrust that pushed the plane through the air. They spun in o... More
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Elevator Control Handle
This lever, operated by their left hand, was connected to the elevator through a pulley system. The pilot could control the tilt of the elevator and alter the plane's pitch.
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Instruments
The 1903 Wright Flyer has three instruments attached to the water reservoir that the Wright Brothers used to calculate distance and speed. The Richard hand anemometer holds two units; a eight bladed fan within ... More
The Flight Line - National Parks Gallery
The stones marking the flights taken by the Wright brothers on December 17, 1903.
Spring flowers - National Parks Gallery
Spring flowers surround the 1903 sculpture.
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Bicycle Hub
The soft sand was too deep for wheels underneath the flyer to work properly. The hub of a bicycle wheel was attached to the front skids and guided the plane down a narrow, 60-foot wooden rail. The remainder of ... More
Witnessing History, National Parks gallery
Young descendants of the witnesses to the first flights of the Wright brothers assist in telling the story of December 17th, 1903 during the 110th Anniversary of the First Flight.
Success! - National Parks Gallery
On December 17th, 1903, the Wright Brothers had 3 historic flights, becoming the first men to fly a controlled, powered airplane. This image is from their first flight.
Colorized Photo of First Flight
Take a look at the historic moment of first flight through new eyes in this colorized version of the famous first flight photo taken on December 17, 1903.
Grounded Liftoff, National Parks gallery
During the 110th Anniversary of First Flight, a plane flies over the boulder commemorating the location the Wright brothers first left the ground in their 1903 Flyer.
The First Flight - National Parks Gallery
December 17, 1903: Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve a world first—airplane flight!
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Wing-Warping Technology
The Wrights realized that the plane would have to bank in the direction of the turn (just as a bicyclist needs to lean when making a turn). They developed the idea of twisting the entire wing, causing one end o... More
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Elevator
The Wrights placed the elevator at the front of the plane because they believed it prevented the plane from falling into a nose dive and potentially crashing when the plane stalled. They also found the forward ... More
1903 Sculpture: Wilbur and Orville
Life-size sculpture of 1903 Flyer with Orville Wright as pilot and Wilbur Wright running alongside.
Flyer on the Big Kill Devil Hill, Wright Brothers National Memorial, 1...
The first flight took place on December 17, 1903 even though Wilbur and Orville tried to fly a few days earlier on the 14th. However, the wind was calm and the brothers knew they would never get off of the grou... More
National parks: IMG_0986 - public domain image
Public domain photograph - aircraft, aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Morning Run - National Parks Gallery
A deer enjoys a morning run near the December 17, 1903 sculpture.
Flight Line, National Parks gallery
Visitors explore the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright first flew on December 17, 1903.
Reconstructed 1903 Wright Flyer Rudder
In their earlier glider tests, Wilbur and Orville discovered that turning would sometimes cause the aircraft to spin out of control. To prevent this, the Wrights decided to add a movable rudder that was control... More
Flight Boulder, National Parks gallery
This boulder marks the spot where the Wright brothers first took flight in their Flyer on December 17, 1903.
Reproduction Flyer, National Parks gallery
Harry Comb reproduced the 1903 Wright Flyer, which is currently on display in the Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor center.
Flight Line, National Parks gallery
Visitors explore the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright first flew on December 17, 1903.
1903 Sculpture, National Parks gallery
A life-size sculpture depicts the moment of first flight. Public domain photograph of sculpture, statue, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Reproduction Engine, National Parks gallery
Operational engine on Harry Comb's reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer, currently on display in the visitor center of Wright Brothers National Memorial.
First Flight Boulder - National Parks Gallery
Public domain photo of a monument, historic place, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
HFCA 1607_People Volume 1_224.jpg
NPS employee, Jerry Calhoun, in uniform behind the information desk at the visitor center in Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Wright Brothers' 1903 Aeroplane Kitty Hawk in First Flight
Original caption: Original Wright Brothers' 1903 Aeroplane ("Kitty Hawk") in first flight, December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, N.C. Orville Wright at controls. Wilbur Wright standing at right. (first flight was 12... More
Monument Doors - National Parks Gallery
The stainless steel and nickel doors at the base of the monument were completed in 1928. There are four relief panels on each door that represent a different story in humanity's conquest of flight.
London celebrate Amelia Earhart, Wright Brothers National Memorial, 20...
Exact photo date unknown. On June 18, 1928, at Burry Port, Wales in the United Kingdom, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean! She covered over 2,000 miles in 20 hours and 40 mi... More
Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hill
This photograph shows the Wright Brothers Monument in the distance on Kill Devil Hill and the granite boulder that marks the place that the first take-off of the first airplane was made. On December 17, 1903, t... More
1932 Monument Dedication - National Parks Gallery
Dedication ceremony in 1932 of the Wright Brothers Monument. Left to right in this photograph are Major General John L. DeWitt, Brigadier General Louis H. Bash, Ruth Nichols, Orville Wright, Secretary of War Pa... More
Amelia Earhart, National Parks gallery
The painting of Amelia Earhart from the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine at Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Beverly Cross holds the American flag and Distinguished Flying Cross p...
Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (Jul. 24, 2006) Beverly Cross holds the American flag and Distinguished Flying Cross presented to her husband posthumously during a ceremony at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Cros... More
Cmdr. J. F. Hughes, right, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to ...
Kill Devil Hills, N.C. (Jul. 24, 2006) Cmdr. J. F. Hughes, right, presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to Beverley Cross, widow of Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Joseph E. Cross, during a ceremony at the Wri... More
One of six relief panels depicting conquest of the air at the Wright B...
Title, date and keywords based on information provided by the photographer. Information from the U.S. Weather Bureau led Wilbur and Orville Wright to travel to this area from Dayton, Ohio for the reported stead... More
Flight Light - National Parks Gallery
View of the Wright Brothers Visitor Center in 1962, just two years after it was built.
Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina. Sept. 1959
Scale ca. 1:6,200. "NM-WB-7001." Includes illus. Text and illus. on verso. Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image. AACR2
Always Keep Trying - National Parks Gallery
On December 14th, 1903 Wright Brothers had several crash landings. They didn't give up, and three days later they made history, flying the first controlled, powered flight in the world.
Wright Brothers National Memorial, located in Kill Devil Hills, North ...
Digital image produced by Carol M. Highsmith to represent her original film transparency; some details may differ between the film and the digital images. Title, date, and keywords provided by the photographer.... More
An air-to-air right side view of two F-15 Eagle aircraft in formation ...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Unknown Release Status: Released to Public Combined Military ... More
First Flight Society President Rex Peters, far left, with Harry Combs,...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
First Flight Society President Rex Peters, far left, with Harry Combs,...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina
"*GPO: 1995--387-038/00277." Title from panel. Includes text and ill. (some col.). Text and ill. (some col.) on verso. Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
An aerial view of the Wright Brothers National Memorial looking toward...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kitty Hawk State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Tom Jaynes, Civilian Release Status: Releas... More
An aerial view of the Wright Brothers National Memorial located in Kit...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kitty Hawk State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Tom Jaynes, Civilian Release Status: Releas... More
An aerial view of the Wright Brothers National Memorial located in Kit...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kitty Hawk State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: Tom Jaynes, Civilian Release Status: Releas... More
Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina
"*GPO:2006--320-369/00426 Reprint 2002." Includes text, location map, and ill. (some col.) Text and ill. (some col.) on verso Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina
"*GPO:2002--491-282/40354 Reprint 2002." Includes text, location map, and ill. (some col.) Text and ill. (some col.) on verso Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
US Air Force (USAF) General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, Commander in CHIEF...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kill Devil Hill State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT Jeffrey A. Wolfe, USAF Release St... More
Two members of the US Army's (USA) "Golden Knights" jump team glide to...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kill Devil Hill State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT Jeffrey A. Wolfe, USAF Release St... More
A member of the US Army's (USA) "Golden Knights" jump team glides to e...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kill Devil Hill State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT Jeffrey A. Wolfe, USAF Release St... More
Surviving members of the John T. Daniels family, eyewitnesses to the W...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Kill Devil Hill State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Camera Operator: SSGT Jeffrey A. Wolfe, USAF Release St... More
Air Force One - National Parks Gallery
December 17, 2003. Because of the weather, Air Force One was the only airplane that flew over the centennial celebration of the first flight.
Aerial as US Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dave Rose, 422n...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: acc Scene Camera Operator: TSGT Ben Bloker, USAF Release Status: Released to Public ... More
Aerial as US Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dave Rose, 422n...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: acc Scene Camera Operator: TSGT Ben Bloker, USAF Release Status: Released to Public ... More
Aerial as US Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dave Rose, 422n...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: acc Scene Camera Operator: TSGT B... More
Aerial as US Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dave Rose, 422n...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: acc Scene Camera Operator: TSGT Ben Bloker, USAF Release Status: Released to Public ... More
Aerial as US Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Dave Rose, 422n...
The original finding aid described this photograph as: Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: acc Scene Camera Operator: TSGT B... More
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Performance by the Beach Boys among events marking the centennial of t...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites
Events marking the centennial of the first powered flight, Wright Brot...
Photographs Documenting the Secretary's Activities, and Agency Officials, Events, Programs, and Managed Sites