U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for December 17: First Flight

WASHINGTON -- Dec. 17, 2015: Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

FIRST FLIGHT

Profile America — Thursday, December 17th. A dream of the ages became reality 112 years ago today on a windswept beach at North Carolina's Outer Banks. There, the Wright brothers made the world's first powered, heavier-than-air flight. With Orville and Wilbur alternating as pilot, the plane made four flights that day. The first airplane flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The longest distance covered that day was 852 feet in 59 seconds — an average speed of 31 miles an hour. In only a few years, the airplane became an important part of America's economy and defense, as well as a form of transportation relied upon by an increasing number of people. Now, aircraft manufacturers in the U.S. do just over $115 billion of business annually. Profile America is in its19th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Sources:
First flight/accessed 10/8/2015: Wight Brothers Triumph

Aircraft manufacturing/NAICS 336411: Aircraft Manufacturing