Art gilkey birthplace of aviation

Ohio Aviation Through the Ages

When it comes to Ohio’s history, the sky is definitely NOT the limit. From the moment the Wright brothers pioneered a gravity-defying machine in their Dayton bicycle shop, innovation and ingenuity have kept the state at the forefront of modern aeronautics. Get ready to take off on an Ohio adventure to trace the evolution of powered flight in our atmosphere and beyond.

1900–1920: The Birth of Aviation

Orville and Wilbur Wright ushered in the age of aviation in 1903 with the world’s first successful manned flight. The original Wright Flyer never flew again, but back in Dayton, the brothers perfected and refined their designs. They landed the first military contract for an aircraft in 1909, and the following year, the Wright “B” Flyer became the first practical airplane to go into commercial production. The power of flight began a trajectory that would take hold across the globe.

See it in Ohio: Pay homage Birthplace of aviation license plate!