Multimedia Presentations

Jump through time and explore with this interactive timeline.  Click the photo to visit the timeline.

NPS Photo

Timeline

Take a trip through time and explore the history and curiosities from the 1860's to the 1940's. This interactive timeline features six different themes: US and World Events, Inventions & Technology, the Wright brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, American Letters, and Dayton Events through the interactive timeline. Choose a theme, then choose a decade to begin your excursion into the past.

 

The Quest for Practical Flight

When Wilbur and Orville came home from Kitty Hawk in December 1903, they knew that they were standing at a crossroads. They had proved that mechanical flight was possible, but hadn't proved that it was practical.

The Wright brothers never wanted to invent just a scientific curiosity, or a marvelous plaything. As the Wright brothers stated…"From the beginning, the prime object...was to devise a machine of practical utility, rather than a useless and extravagant toy…"

By October 1905, the Wright brothers' new machine took off and landed safely, turned gracefully in the sky, and flew for as long as the gas tank held fuel. A remarkable machine, it was the world's first practical airplane.

Kings of the Air

In addition to designing and building the world's first practical airplane, Wilbur and Orville had to teach themselves to become the world's first airplane pilots. However, doubts about the Wright brothers' claims to flight were running high in Europe until August 8, 1908. On that date, Wilbur took off in front of a small crowd near Le Mans, France. Word spread quickly. Critics apologized. Businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and royalty from all over rushed to crown the Wright brothers, "Kings of the Air."

The Wright's invention of the airplane changed much in the world. Now, you can learn more about their Quest for Practical Flight in this interactive media player. Choose from The Miracle of Flight movie, the Learning to Fly animated cartoon, Riding the Wind movie, the Age of Flight movie and view 3-D animated models of the planes the Wright Brothers built between 1901 - 1905.

 

The Wright's invention of the airplane changed much in the world. Now, you can learn more about theirQuest for Practical Flightin this interactive media player. Choose from The Miracle of Flight movie, the Learning to Fly animated cartoon, Riding the Wind movie, the Age of Flight movie and view 3-D animated models of the planes the Wright Brothers built between 1901 - 1905.

 

Videos

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 58 seconds

Watch Ranger Bob Petersen discuss the significance of NASA’s Mars mission from the historic Huffman Prairie Flying Field.

 

Duration:

5 minutes, 35 seconds

Ranger Kathleen speaks with Dr. Andrew Shepherd, Executive Director and Chief Scientist for Unmanned Aerial Systems, at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio about drones, propellers, and how the Wright brothers’ legacy continues on Mars.

 

Duration:

32 minutes, 38 seconds

Narrated by Martin Sheen, the epic Wright brothers tale is told in a riveting feature short park film. Through an artful combination of historical reenactments, life footage of replica Wright airplanes, and digital effects, you can see the impact the Wright brothers had on aviation, engineering and the Industrial Revolution at the turn of the 20th century.

 

Duration:

2 minutes, 50 seconds

Dayton Aviation Heritage is a great place to visit if you are looking for inspiration to write your own story. Write Out is a free two-week celebration of writing, making, and sharing inspired by the great outdoors. It is a public invitation to get out and create that is supported with a series of online activities, made especially for educators, students, and families, to explore national parks and other public spaces.