Huffman Wright history

Their research did not occur in a vacuum; they investigated the experiments of other aviation pioneers, writing to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., for suggestions of relevant readings in 1899.

Through experimentation at the cycle shop using a small, homemade wind tunnel, the Wrights designed the airplane that made the first controlled, powered, sustained flight on December 17, 1903.

In 1904, the brothers made 105 flights, totaling 49 minutes in the air with their 1904 Wright Flyer II. With this flying machine, they made the first turn and the first circle in the air.

About two weeks later, the brothers ended their experiments for 1905 feeling that they now had a practical airplane that they could market.

In 1909, the Wrights and several prominent industrialists created the Wright Company to market Wright airplanes.

Wilbur became the company’s first president, with Orville as one of two vice-presidents (Andrew Freedman being the other). Orville became president of the Wright Company upon Wilbur’s death of typhoid fever in 1912.

Orville sold his interests in the Wright Company in 1915, remaining with it for a year as a consulting engineer.

The Wright Company ceased use of the flying field in 1916.

Although it is dated 1980, and many changes have occurred since then, an application form submitted to the National Register of Historic Places gives a detailed description of the streets and homes in the Huffman area.