Wright brothers american brothers inventors and aviation pioneers who achieved the first powered sustained and controlled airplane flight 1903 orville made the first successful flight covering 120 feet 36 meters through the air in 12 seconds. The wright brothers biography orville wright was born in dayton united states 1871 1948 and wilbur wright was born in millville indiana united states 1867 1912 american inventors the wright brothers the name with which they have been recognized in the history of aviation they studied only the preparatory school but they became empirical . Wright brothers vin fiz first armed airplane on july 18 1914 an aviation section of the signal corps part of the army was established its flying unit contained airplanes made by the wright brothers as well as some made by their chief competitor glenn curtiss