Wright Brothers - Main Characters in Airplane's History
Paper airplanes are an extremely popular childhood toy for almost every person out there. Whether it is the endless flights, the fun of making them, or simply throwing them around, they are one of many childhood favorites. It is generally believed that the Chinese were the first to build Paper Airplanes and kites out of papyrus paper around 2000 years ago.” Many years later, the French had an interesting approach to using paper for flight. “The Montgovier brothers used paper to build hot air balloons. Later, they used paper lined cloth to build the first human carrying hot air balloons in 1783.”
“The Wright brothers reportedly use paper planes, wings and airfoils in wind tunnels as part of their quest to build the first powered human carrying airplane.” Then, an English man brought his business to the United States. Wallis Rigby was a businessman who brought his company in the thirties of the twentieth century. The models he made of paper airplanes became fairly famous. “ His models were famous internationally for their “tab in slot” construction.” An individual could find his plane model’s everywhere. These models were published virtually anywhere you could possibly imagine. Someone could find them published in a book, a boxed set, and even in the newspaper’s comic strip. “The models were published in books, boxed sets and even in the Sunday morning comic strips.” In the midst of World War II, most materials were restricted so that the military could use them. These materials varied from wood to plastic and metal. In order to conserve these materials, they were not given out to be spared for toys. Everything needed to go to the military.
Paper, however, was not one of these materials. Therefore, children could use paper to make toys. As a result, using paper for modeling different things became popular. “ Consequently paper modeling became popular.” Towards the end of World War II, it is believed that General Mills would send you two modeled aircraft for two Wheaties box tops and five cents. General Mills is a food brand known specifically for their wide variety in cereals. Wheaties is a type of cereal that consists of toasted whole wheat flakes. It is sold in an orange box, with usually a person known in sports placed on the box. There were fourteen different models you could possibly receive. They were all fighter airplanes. “The models were of current World War II fighter airplanes like the Curtis P-40 “Flying Tiger”, the Japanese “Zero”, the British “Spitfire” and the German “Focke-Wulf”.” Once the war ended, the popularity of paper airplanes began to decrease as more materials became available. Paper was now not the only option, so different toys were made. They now could be made from plastic, wood, and metals. In many different Eastern bloc countries, the fame of paper airplanes continued due to the hardship of getting actual models. “In many Eastern bloc countries the popularity of paper planes continued because of the difficulty of getting affordable models in those countries.”. However, it is still very common to see paper airplanes in schools, courtyards, parks, and even aviation enthusiast’s home.
The Wright brothers invented and flew the first airplane in 1903. It was recognized as the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight. However, the invention didn't come without failures. Nevertheless nowadays airplanes are one of the most important way for transportation.
