Kitty Hawk Collection

The Wright Brothers First Heavier-than-air Flight
On December 17, 1903, at 10:30 am at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, this airplane arose for a few seconds to make the first powered, heavier-than-air controlled flight in history

Orville Wrights Test His Gilder at Kitty Hawk, NC
A photograph of Orville Wright in his glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1911. On October 24, 1911 Orville tested a new glider and broke all the previous gliding records by actually soaring

USA, North Carolina, Outer Banks National Seashore, Kitty Hawk, waterfront, dawn
North Carolina, Outer Banks National Seashore, Kitty Hawk, waterfront, dawn

First flight, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10. 35am December 17th 1903 (b / w photo)
1273724 First flight, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10.35am December 17th 1903 (b/w photo) by Daniels, John T

North Carolina, Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk, Beach
2080-206104-01

USA, North Carolina, Kitty Hawk, Monument to a Century of Flight

North Carolina, Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills, Wright Brothers National Memorial

North Carolina, Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk pier

North Carolina, Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk, homes overlooking the ocean

Wilbur lying on damaged machine after unsuccessful trial at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, December 14, 1903, (b/w photo)
1273729 Wilbur lying on damaged machine after unsuccessful trial at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, December 14, 1903, (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection

Crumpled glider wrecked by the wind on Hill of the Wreck, October 10th 1900
1273730 Crumpled glider wrecked by the wind on Hill of the Wreck, October 10th 1900 by American Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection

Wright Flyer, aircraft built by the Wright Brothers which made the first successful aeroplane flight in 1903
6014666 Wright Flyer, aircraft built by the Wright Brothers which made the first successful aeroplane flight in 1903 (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after)

Flight of the Wright Brothers aeroplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (colour litho)
3097343 Flight of the Wright Brothers aeroplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Wright Brothers testing an early plane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA, c1903. Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville Wright (1871-1948)

First Powered Flight
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: December 17, 1903 An intaglio-gravure of Orville Wright flying during the first powered and sustained flight while Wilbur is on the ground at right

The first heavier-than-air flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on 17 December 1903
WRIGHT BROTHERS, 1903. The first heavier-than-air flight of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on 17 December 1903. Orville Wright is at the controls, Wilbur is on the ground

The Wright brothers first powered flight
Photograph of the first powered flight, made by Orville Wright on 17 December 1903 near Kill Devil Hill, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA

First Flight
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: December 17, 1903 Orville Wright flying during the first powered and sustained flight while Wilbur is on the ground at right

Beach near Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA

The first flight of the Wright Flyer in 1903
Vintage aviation photo featuring the first flight of the Wright Flyer on December 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville Wright is piloting as brother Wilbur runs along beside

KITTY HAWK CREW, 1900. The Kitty Hawk lifesaving crew, including Captain Joseph Payne, Joseph Best, Ben Toler, Tom Suerling, and Tom Heintz. Photograph, 1900

View of Wright Brothers glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photograph, 1911
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. View of Wright Brothers glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photograph, 1911

The Wright brothers flying machine at the launching track at Big Kill Devil Hill in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
WRIGHT BROTHERS AIRPLANE. The Wright brothers flying machine at the launching track at Big Kill Devil Hill in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photograph, 14 December 1903

Rear view of Wright glider in flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1911
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Rear view of Wright glider in flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1911

Glider being prepared for flight by Orville and his assistants with a number of journalists standing to the right at
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Glider being prepared for flight by Orville and his assistants with a number of journalists standing to the right at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1911

Group portrait in front of the Wright glider at Kill Devil Hill. Sitting: Horace Wright, Orville Wright
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Group portrait in front of the Wright glider at Kill Devil Hill. Sitting: Horace Wright, Orville Wright, and Alexander Ogilvie, standing: Lorin Wright

Orville and Wilbur Wright, testing their glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1911
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Orville and Wilbur Wright, testing their glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1911

Dan Tate (left) and Wilbur Wright, flying a glider as a kite at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Dan Tate (left) and Wilbur Wright, flying a glider as a kite at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photographed by Orville Wright, 19 September 1902

The camp at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina showing its damaged condition at the time of Wilburs arrival on April 10, 1908
KITTY HAWK, 1908. The camp at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina showing its damaged condition at the time of Wilburs arrival on April 10, 1908

Wilbur Wright in prone position in damaged glider after unsuccessful trial, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Wilbur Wright in prone position in damaged glider after unsuccessful trial, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photographed by Orville Wright on 14 December 1903

Wilbur Wright flying their glider, near the bottom of Big Hill, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Wilbur Wright flying their glider, near the bottom of Big Hill, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photographed by Orville Wright, 10 October 1902

Glider invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright, being flown as a kite in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1900
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Glider invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright, being flown as a kite in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1900

Captain Tate with his wife, standing in front of the Kitty Hawk Post Office, North Carolina
KITTY HAWK, 1900. Captain Tate with his wife, standing in front of the Kitty Hawk Post Office, North Carolina. Photograph by Wright Brothers, 1900

Orville and Wilbur Wrights airplane outside their camp at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, November 1903
WRIGHT GLIDER, 1903. Orville and Wilbur Wrights airplane outside their camp at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, November 1903

Dan Tate (foreground) and Wilbur Wright testing one of the Wright Brothers gliders at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1902
WRIGHT BROTHERS GLIDER. Dan Tate (foreground) and Wilbur Wright testing one of the Wright Brothers gliders at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1902. Oil over a photograph

Orville Wright preparing for takeoff in the first Wright brothers biplane glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
ORVILLE WRIGHT, 1901. Orville Wright preparing for takeoff in the first Wright brothers biplane glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Photograph, 1901

Orville Wrights telegram to his father announcing the successful flights of 17 December 1903
WRIGHT BROTHERS TELEGRAM. Orville Wrights telegram to his father announcing the successful flights of 17 December 1903

Wright Brothers National Memorial at Manteo, North Carolina

Wright Brothers National Monument at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kitty Hawk, Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA

Osprey nesting at sunset on Abelmarle Sound at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Osprey perched at sunset on Abelmarle Sound at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Monument on Killdevil Hill at Kitty Hawk is part of the Wright Brothers National Monument at Manteo, North Carolina

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"Kitty Hawk: Where Aviation History Took Flight" Step back in time to witness the birth of aviation at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It was here that the Wright Brothers made their mark on history with the first heavier-than-air flight. In 1903, Orville Wright tested his glider on this very spot, capturing a momentous occasion for mankind. As dawn broke over the waterfront of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17th, 1903, history was about to be made. The Wright Brothers' aircraft soared through the air for an astonishing 120 feet in just 12 seconds. This black and white photo captures that remarkable feat. However, not every attempt was successful. Just three days prior to their triumphant flight, Wilbur found himself lying next to a damaged machine after an unsuccessful trial at Kitty Hawk. These setbacks only fueled their determination further. The wind could be both friend and foe in Kitty Hawk's skies. A crumpled glider lies wrecked by its force atop Hill of the Wreck in October 10th, 1900 - a reminder of the challenges faced by these pioneers. Today, visitors can pay homage to this incredible achievement at Kitty Hawk's Monument to a Century of Flight. Standing tall against blue skies and endless possibilities is a tribute to those who dared to dream big. In another striking black and white photograph, we see the iconic Wright Flyer taking off from Kitty Hawk's sandy shores once again – forever immortalizing that groundbreaking moment when humanity took flight. Color lithographs bring life and vibrancy as they depict the awe-inspiring sight of the Wright Brothers' aeroplane soaring high above Kitty Hawk's picturesque landscape – showcasing how far we have come since those early days. Imagine being present during those testing times as you gaze upon an image captured circa 1903; witnessing firsthand how these visionaries pushed boundaries and defied gravity right here in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.