Airplanes | A short recap

  • 1783: The Montgolfier brothers launch the first manned hot air balloon flight.
  • 1891: Sir Hiram Maxim designs and tests the first powered flying machine, but it fails to take off.
  • 1903: The Wright brothers make the first successful powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine, lasting 12 seconds and covering 120 feet.
  • 1914-1918: Airplanes are used extensively in World War I for reconnaissance, bombing, and aerial combat.
  • 1919: British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown make the first non-stop transatlantic flight, flying from Newfoundland to Ireland in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber.
  • 1927: Charles Lindbergh makes the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight, flying from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis.
  • 1939-1945: Airplanes play a critical role in World War II, with major developments including the first jet-powered aircraft and the use of bombers to drop atomic bombs on Japan.
  • 1950s-1960s: The development of commercial jet airliners, including the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8, revolutionizes air travel and makes international travel more accessible.
  • 1969: The Boeing 747, the world’s first jumbo jet, enters commercial service and remains the largest passenger airliner in the world for decades.
  • 1970s-1980s: Advances in technology lead to the development of supersonic passenger aircraft, including the Concorde, but concerns about safety and environmental impact lead to their eventual retirement.
  • 2001: The terrorist attacks on September 11 lead to increased security measures for air travel, including the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
  • 2017: The first flight of the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the latest iteration of the popular 787 series, takes place.

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