When was the first powered flight?

Answer 1

The question is too vague. There were take-offs by numerous aircraft long before the Wright brothers, but almost all of these resulted in very short flights or crashes. <br />There is much evidence to show that many flights were made by Gustav Whitehead between 1900 and 1902, notably at Fairfield, Connecticut in 1901. His claims to flights were examined and dismissed by mainstream aviation historians, especially those associated with the Smithsonian Institution. <br />The Smithsonian has owned and exhibited the Wright Flyer for many years - so they have a vested interest in decrying any other claims to earlier flights than the Wrights made.

Gustave Whitehead WAS first in flight, so say 18 eye witnesses and Whitehead himself, in addition a local editor for the largest newspaper in Southern CT witnessed a Whitehead powered flight on Aug. 14, 1901 and published the account in his newspaper. Tom Crouch of the Smithsonian is heavily conflicted, there is an agreement with the Wright heirs that requires Smithsonian to ONLY credit Orville and the Wright Flyer as first in flight, or they lose the Wright Flyer, it reverts to the heirs. This has been in place since 1948, and the agreement was uncovered in 1976 by Major William J. O'Dwyer, author of "History by Contract". For more info go to www.gustavewhitehead.info and read all the FAQ's.