Big Kill Devil Hill North Exhibit

Big Kill Devil Hill wayside

NPS

When the Wright Brothers were here, Big Kill Devil Hill – the hill in front of you- was a massive sand dune. Thousands of times, the brothers trekked up this and three nearby dunes to conduct glider experiments.

Climbing the hill was strenuous. Deep, soft sand caused every step up the slope to slip part-way back down. The Wrights were also burdened with carrying their heavy gliders up the hill for each flight. Their tireless efforts paid off as they mastered their flying skills and refined their flight controls.

The image shows 4 men carrying a glider up a sand dune. Two men are holding the gliders wings, while the other two are holding the front and read sections of the glider. The caption reads: Friends and surfmen from the nearby US Life-Saving Station helped the brothers carry their gliders up the dune.