Downtown in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Birth of Aviation

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 14, 2009

1. The Birth of Aviation Marker

Inscription. In 1899, Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton built a kite to test a revolutionary flight control system, and in 1900, built their first airplane (glider). With promising results, the Wrights built man-carrying gliders and airplanes to refine their ideas. Wind tunnel experiments led to accurate calculations of lift and drag. In 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they made the first sustained, controlled, powered flight in history, lasting 12 seconds. By 1905, the Wright brothers had developed the first practical airplane and the skills to pilot it. The U.S. Army Signal Corps purchased a Wright flyer, the first practical military aircraft, in 1909. Through public demonstrations beginning in 1908, the Wright brothers showed the world the future of aviation.

Erected 2003 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The International Paper Company Foundation, Dayton Section of SAE International, Engineers Club of Dayton, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3-57.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 39° 45.84′ N, 84° 11.435′ W. Marker

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is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Monument Avenue (Ohio Route 4) and Jefferson Street on Monument Avenue. Marker is at the entrance to the Engineers Club. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 E Monument Avenue, Dayton OH 45402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles F. Kettering (a few steps from this marker); The Engineer's Club Of Dayton (a few steps from this marker); Before Silicon Valley There Was Dayton, Ohio (a few steps from this marker); John Van Cleve (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Van Cleve (within shouting distance of this marker); 1905 Wright Flyer III (within shouting distance of this marker); "The History of the World is the Biography of Great Men" (within shouting distance of this marker); Newcom Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.

Also see . . .
1. The Dayton Aviation Heritage Park. (Submitted on April 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Wright Brothers. (Submitted on April 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 14, 2009

2. The Birth of Aviation Marker

The Engineers Club in background, with Charles Kettering historical marker to right of steps.

Orville and Wilbur Wright Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 14, 2009

3. Orville and Wilbur Wright Bench

Dedicated to the immortal spirit of Daytonians Orville and Wilbur Wright, whose gift of powered flight lifted our world forever skyward.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 14, 2009

4. Orville and Wilbur Wright Bench

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 14, 2009

5. Orville and Wilbur Wright Bench

The Birth of Aviation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Melanie Born, April 16, 2009

6. The Birth of Aviation

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,318 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 1, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Melanie Born of Parma, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.