Wright Brothers 1897-1928

Among the materials the Wright Brothers estate gave the Library of Congress in 1948 were 300 glass plate negatives and two nitrate negatives, most taken by the Wright brothers themselves between 1897 and 1928. About 200 views from 1900 to 1911 document their successes and failures with their new flying machines. The collection provides an excellent pictorial record of the Wright brothers laboratory, engines, models, experimental planes, runways, flights, and even their accidents. The collection also contains individual portraits and group pictures of the Wright brothers and their family and friends, as well as photos of their homes, other buildings, towns, and landscapes.

Start of a glide; Wilbur in motion at left holding one end of glider (rebuilt with single vertical rudder), Orville lying prone in machine, and Dan Tate at right; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
1902

Start of a glide; Wilbur in motion at left holding one end of glider (rebuilt with single vertical rudder), Orville lying prone in machine, and Dan Tate at right; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

First flight, December 17, 1903
1903

First flight, December 17, 1903

Bertha Wright, age five, niece of the Wright brothers, daughter of Lorin Wright
1901

Bertha Wright, age five, niece of the Wright brothers, daughter of Lorin Wright

Bertha Wright, niece of the Wright brothers, daughter of Lorin Wright, age five
1901

Bertha Wright, niece of the Wright brothers, daughter of Lorin Wright, age five

Oberlin College reception, group photograph, Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College reception, group photograph, Oberlin, Ohio

Katharine Wright, Harriet Silliman, and Agnes Osborne in horse-drawn carriage across from Wright home, 7 Hawthorn Street, Dayton, Ohio

Katharine Wright, Harriet Silliman, and Agnes Osborne in horse-drawn carriage across from Wright home, 7 Hawthorn Street, Dayton, Ohio

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Wright Brothers 1897-1928