2-377-976 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Wilbur Wright, American aviator and his sister, Katherine, 1909. Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) and his brother Orville (1871-1948), were American inventors of aircraft. They originally designed and built bicycles but changed their interest to flying, producing a controllable glider by 1902, and a year later the first aircraft, Flyer I. This was piloted by Orville on 17th December 1903 in the first powered and controlled aircraft flight. The Flyer III, built in 1905, was the first efficient plane and, by 1909, the American army had ordered a military version. On 15 February 1909 Katherine (1874-1929) became the first woman to fly in an aeroplane at Pau, in the South of France.