A photo of the first airplane flight (1903).
The history of aviation began with hot air balloons. In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers of France made the first flight in a balloon. It was a huge leap because humans could now view the earth from above. Hot air balloons were simple, as they used hot air for lift, and this concept was the birth of human flight.
Next came gliders. German Otto Lilienthal, in the late 19th century, worked with gliders, and he was able to make several successful flights. His work showed people how to control flight without an engine. Then, in 1903, the Wright brothers changed everything; Orville and Wilbur built and flew the first powered airplane. On December 17, they flew for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. Even though this flight was very short, it started a new era.
After this, aviation developed rapidly. World War I accelerated airplane development, and planes were used for espionage and combat. This war helped turn planes from mere toys or inventions of curiosity into actual useful tools. By the 1920s, airlines had began carrying mail, and soon after, they started to carry a lot of people as well. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh also made history by flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to Paris. This flight showed the world that long-distance air travel was possible.
The 1930s brought about a lot of change too, and airplanes became larger and quicker. The monoplanes with metal bodies and retractable landing gears were introduced, and they were much more efficient. Planes like the DC-3, which was introduced in 1935, had the capacity to carry lots of passengers, and it brought affordable prices within the reach of many.
Following all of this was World War II, which brought jet engines. The first jet-powered flight took place in 1939 in Germany. Jets can fly faster than propeller planes, so since the war, jets have become common, both in military and civilian flying. The first jetliners for passengers included the Boeing 707, which came out in 1958, and they made flying across continents fast and comfortable.
Then, during the 1950s and 1960s, the demand for air travel exploded and more people flew in planes than ever before. Airlines competed by offering better services and serving fancy meals and fine wines. This was also around the time the Concorde—a plane which flew faster than sound—got introduced. It could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours, but because it was so expensive to fly and operate, it did not last for very long.
Safety improved with time as well. Early planes were very risky, but now, flying is one of the safest ways to travel. Engineers learned from accidents and made planes stronger and safer, pilots got better training, and air traffic control systems got advanced. All these things put together made flying safer.
In addition, technology continued to get better. The 747, also known as the "Jumbo Jet," was built in 1970. Hundreds of passengers could fly in it, and it made it possible for lots of people to take very long flights. Now, even newer technology can be found in aviation. More environmentally-friendly planes and electrical planes are currently being tested. They work to reduce the environmental impact caused by flying. Also, nowadays, planes use less fuel, since they have been made to be more aerodynamic. Better autopilot systems are in place as well in order to make flights smoother and safer.
Air travel has also become more accessible. Budget airlines offer low-cost flights, which means that more people can afford to fly. Airports have grown, and they handle a ton of planes and people every day. For now, the future of aviation is promising, with more electric or hybrid planes, and possibly the return of supersonic travel in ways that are much greener. Aviation has evolved from consisting of just simple balloons to fast jetliners. The story of aviation—from that first balloon flight to the present complicated technology—is one of progress and had its groundwork laid by the flights that came before it and by the insights and courage of the people flying. So, the next time you get on a plane, think about just how far the field of aviation has come. It's not just about flying from point A to point B; instead, it is about a story of human achievement that is still stretching out into new territories.