The Wright Stuff:
Celebrating a Century of Flight
January 7 - March 31, 2004
4th Floor, West Wing

It is my belief that flight is possible and, while I am taking up the investigation for pleasure rather than profit, I think there is a slight possibility of achieving fame and fortune from it.

December 17, 2003 marked the 100th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Although there had been earlier attempts at flight, the Wright Brothers -- two bicycle makers from Dayton, Ohio -- were the first to master controlled, sustained flight that December day in 1903, on a remote sand dune called "Kill Devil Hill." Struggling against 27-mile-per-hour winds, the brothers each made two flights, the fourth and final traveling a record 852 feet in 59 seconds, before a strong gust sent Wilbur and the aircraft plummeting into the sand. Satisfied with their day's accomplishments, the Brothers wired the news to their father, instructing him to "Inform Press"; yet very little appeared in print concerning their triumph: a cynical press and a skeptical public largely scoffed at their claims. It would be several years before the American government and public gave the Wright Brothers their due.

This exhibit commemorates the 100th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright's historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and celebrates a century of aeronautical achievements through a selection of artifacts and materials from the MSU Libraries' collections.

Exhibit produced by Anita Ezzo
with graphics assistance from Theresa Moore & Sara Cook

This exhibit is held in conjunction with the MSU Museum's exhibition, 100 Years of Flight, on view in the Heritage Gallery through February 8, 2004.