THE FIRST CENTURY OF AVIATION
Today is the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight. Wilbur and Orville took turns flying the first Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903. Although we're often told that the first flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet, that doesn't sound too impressive. Almost like something a glider could do. But they flew three other times on December 17. The longest: 59 seconds, 852 feet. Now that's an impressive flight.

Here's a timeline of the history of flight in winged aircraft (they don't seem too interested in rockets). Also, check out the home page of Aerofiles, with a proper message to the Wright Brothers: "Thanks, fellas. You really started something!"

More milestones in flight.

It sure would be nice if we were to continue our flight advances. How about some breakthrough propulsion? Maybe an anti-gravity shield? Let's at least go back to the moon. Don't let what the Wrights started end at the Concorde and Space Shuttle.