and wing-warping wires were accordingly connected This ended the
pioneer gliding experiments of Wilbur and Orville Wright--though
further glides were made in subsequent years--as the following
year, 1903, saw the first power-driven machine leave the ground.

To recapitulate--in the course of these original experiments the
Wrights confirmed Lilienthal's theory of the reversal of the
centre of pressure on cambered surfaces at small angles of
incidence: they confirmed the importance of high aspect ratio
in respect to lift: they had evolved new and more accurate
tables of lift and pressure on cambered surfaces: they were the
first to use a movable horizontal elevator for controlling
height: they were the first to adjust the wings to different
angles of incidence to maintain lateral balance: and they were
the first to use the movable rudder and adjustable wings in
combination.

They now considered that they had gone far enough to justify
them in building a power-driven 'flier,' as they called their
first aeroplane. They could find no suitable engine and so
proceeded to build for themselves an internal combustion engine,
which was designed to give 8 horse-power, but when completed
actually developed about 12-15 horse-power and weighed 240 lbs.
The complete machine weighed about 750 lbs. Further details of
the first Wright aeroplane are difficult to obtain, and even
those here given should be received with some caution. The
first flight was made on December 17th 1903, and lasted 12
seconds. Others followed immediately, and the fourth lasted 59
seconds, a distance of 852 feet being covered against a 20-mile
wind.