Always working on different mechanical projects and keeping up with scientific research, the Wright brothers closely followed the research of German aviator Otto Lilienthal. When Lilienthal died in a glider crash, the brothers were very depressed. But their father, Milton Wright, brought back a small model helicopter for his boys. It is made of cork, bamboo and paper, and powered by a rubber band to twirl its blades. Fascinated by the toy and its mechanics, Wilbur and Orville developed a lifelong love of aeronautics and flying and decided to start their own experiments with flight.

Wilbur and Orville set to work trying to figure out how to design wings for flight. They observed that birds angled their wings for balance and control, and tried to emulate this, developing a concept called “wing warping.” When they added a moveable rudder, the Wright brothers found they had the magic formula and, on December 17, 1903, they succeeded in flying the first 'free', controlled flight of a power-driven, heavier than aeroplanes. Wilbur flew their plane for 59 seconds, at 852 feet, an extraordinary achievement.

The Wright brothers soon found that their success was not appreciated by all. Many in the press, as well as fellow flight experts, were reluctant to believe the brothers’ claims at all. In France Wilbur found a much more receptive audience. He made many public flights, and gave rides to officials, journalists and statesmen. The Wright became huge celebrities there, hosted by royals and heads of state, and constantly featured in the press. The Wright began to sell their aeroplanes in Europe, before returning to the United States in 1909. The brothers became wealthy businessmen, filling contracts for aeroplanes in Europe and the United States.