Orville Wright flying a glider at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA, 10 October 1902.

UNITED STATES : Photograph of the glider being launched. Orville Wright (1871-1948) and his brother Wilbur (1867-1912) were self-taught American aeroplane pioneers. They carried out extensive research and testing with gliders in order to establish a design for a heavier-than-air flying machine capable of sustained, controllable flight. A crucial feature of their design was the prone position of the pilot, which reduced air resistance considerably compared to earlier designs which had the pilot in an upright position. After successfully designing their glider, the brothers then fitted a petrol engine to the machine, which they named the 'Flyer'. On 17 December 1903 with Orville at the controls, the Flyer made the world's first sustained powered flight at Kitty Hawk. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)