From the very beginning of time people have been fascinated (very interested) by flight. In every culture there are myths and stories of humans and gods with the ability to fly. But the science of flight took hundred's of years to develop. Only through repeated experiments did new concepts about flight replace the myths.

Flight combines three principles: lift, thrust and control. Modern aircraft use thousand's of intricate parts (many parts working together) to apply these principles.

Lift is the ability to rise in the air. (Click on the picture and watch it rise!)
Thrust is the power to move through the air. (Click on the picture and watch it go!)
Control is the ability to go where you want. (Click on the picture and watch it turn!)

The first people to "fly" tried many things. With these tries, theories developed that turned into real inventions and the advancement of real flight.

Some jumped with wings & without wings.

Man With Wings

Some made balloons.

First Hydrogen Balloon

Some tried gliders.

Lilienthal's Glider

And then the Wright Brothers made the first airplane.

The Wright Flyer

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Last modified: Mon May 25 17:30:17 PDT 1998