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First to Fly — Completing the Army Demonstration
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Wilbur Wright, in the bowler hat, preparing the Flyer for the conclusion of the test required to win a U.S. Army contract. The 1908 demonstration had been interrupted by a crash in which Orville was seriously injured and his passenger killed. This photograph shows clearly the track from which the early Flyers were catapulted and Wilbur's intense concentration.
1909
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Collection Information
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W012P2V
WHi 10526
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First to Fly — Army Demonstration
September 1908
Among the spectators present to watch Orville Wright's demonstration of the Wright Flyer at Fort Myer, Virginia, were Lt. Frank P. Lahm (left), one of the first military officers taught to fly, and...
First to Fly — Wright Brothers' Factory
1910
Workers in the General Assembly Department of the Wright Brothers' airplane factory.
Red Devil Builder
circa 1920-1929
An autographed portrait of Thomas S. Baldwin, builder of the early "Red Devil" airplanes and the first dirigible purchased by the U.S. Army.
First to Fly — Army Demonstration
September 17, 1908
Soldiers at Fort Myer, Virginia, watching Orville Wright demonstrate the Wright Brothers' airplane for the U.S. Army. Milwaukee's Billy Mitchell is said to have attended this test as a young Signal...
Army Balloon
1904
The first dirigible purchased by the U.S. Army and its builder, Thomas A. Baldwin.
Markham Portrait
September 23, 1936
A glamour portrait of aviator Beryl Markham inscribed to her publicist Harry Bruno. Markham, a former Kenyan bush pilot, had recently completed (but just barely) the first solo east-to-west Atlanti...
