1903 - The first powered, controlled flight of a “heavier-than-air” machine is performed at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, by brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Orville was the first to sit behind the controls of the Flyer and was airborne for only 3 ½ seconds! Three days later, the Wright brothers made several more attempts; Wilbur made the final and most significant ascent, traveling 260 meters, with a flight time of 59 seconds! (Library of Congress)