There are many claims in holding title to being the first for achieving a controlled and sustained powered flight in a heavier than air vehicle: Clément Ader, Kar Jatho, Samuel Langley, Richard Pearse, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Gustave Weisskopf, and the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur. Each claimant added significant gains to the principles of flight, but they all, with the exception of the Wright Brothers, lacked the foresight to substantiate their work with reliable documentation. Beginning in 1899, the Wright Brothers began experimenting with various flying devices; kites, gliders. Their dedication culminated in the first powered flight. On the morning of December 17, 1903, Orville took to the air along the shores of Kill Devil Hill, North Carolina. Reaching a speed of about 11 km/h, the aircraft covered a distance of 36 meters and flew for 12 thrilling seconds.
