For ages, we, as a society, have always been fascinated with the prospect of flying. We see the birds in the sky and we yearn to fly too. That dream became a reality with the invention of airplanes. But that dream had a rich history. So here’s the story of the origin of planes and how they became what we know today.
Ancient Dreams of Flight
Since ancient times, our ancestors have looked up to the sky and wanted to fly. It was apparent that flight was a collective dream from the myths of flying dragons of China to Icarus and Daedalus from Ancient Greece. But the real work began with Leonardo Da Vinci. The famous painter and great thinker created initial designs for a flying machine that was advanced for his time. He inspired the people to visualize their own ideas of airplanes.
Early Pioneers
Da Vinci’s sketches would not be followed until the 19th and 20th century. The advances in technology finally allowed people to think about creating a working airplane model. Here are some notable people in the field.
Sir George Cayley
Cayley is often called “the father of aviation.” He made great contributions to the study of aeronautics. In fact, in 1804, he designed and built a glider that became the world’s first successful human-carrying aircraft.
Otto Lilienthal
Lilienthal was a German aviation pioneer who conducted extensive research on the principles of flight. He also made his own gliders in the late 19th century and his work laid the foundation for a better understanding of the aerodynamics of wings.
The Wright Brothers
When we talk of the origin of planes, who could forget the Wright brothers? Orville and Wilbur Wright are the most famous names in aviation history and for a good reason. In 1903, they built the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their invention was a biplane called the Wright Flyer.
Advancements in Powered Flight
The Wright Brothers opened the floodgate of development in the field of modern powered aviation. After their success, aircraft design and technology quickly soared.
World War 1
The Great War demanded the development of military aircraft. It wasn’t just enough to fight by sea, but to transport military supplies and manpower was faster by air. Dogfights and reconnaissance missions also highlighted the importance of planes in warfare.
Interwar Period
The war ended but aviation came to stay. People saw the benefits of developing aircraft from the war and many commercial airlines came about, offering to transport passengers and goods long distances in shorter travel time.
World War 2
Unlike in past world wars, planes weren’t used solely for reconnaissance or supply runs for soldiers in the Second World War. Instead, they were weaponized and used to drop bombs in targeted areas.
The Jet Age
In these peaceful times, we have the best innovation in aviation, the jet. Commercial aircraft technology has been so highly developed that it is safer than ever, can carry more passengers and cargo, and is faster than any plane in the past. We have come so far from the origin of planes and we are looking toward further horizons.