The Wright Flyer

Because of my love and passion for flying, the photo I restored today has an extra-special significance to me.

It depicts Wilbur Wright in the Wright Flyer, on the ground after an unsuccessful trail on December 14, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.  It was only a few days later that man achieved sustained powered, heaver-than-air flight for the first time in recorded history.

This achievement has changed all of our lives in so many ways.  Even if you’re not a fan of flying, flight affects us each on a daily basis – goods are shipped across the world overnight through air freight; we can easily travel from one side of the world to the other in 24 hours or less; and the world has become smaller as a result.

I’d like to end this post by leaving you with my favorite quote (often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci) which perfectly sums up how I feel about flying:

“When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”