by Brendan Lee, Research Historian
Daring Defiance of Gravity
Do you look up at the sky with awe at the sight of a passing airplane? Have you ever marveled at the ingenuity behind jet-powered airplanes? Just 150 years ago, the idea of such cutting-edge aviation technology would have seemed like pure science fiction. For many, safe and comfortable air travel has become something we take for granted–or even gripe about during the busy holiday season.
The sketch captures a young girl’s fascination with a passing airplane.
The Airplane by Kerr Eby, 1920, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Object number: 1977.66.66.
What began as a daring defiance of gravity is now a routine form of transportation for millions. Early efforts towards human flight date back to ancient China’s kite flying–an early precursor to gliders and balloon–and Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of birds and flying machines such as the Ornithopter. Despite these early achievements, the story of the modern airplane belongs to a recent chapter in human history.1 The aviation industry is approaching some significant milestones in 2026. The National Air & Space Museum will open 23 new exhibit galleries and airline giants Lufthansa and United will celebrate their 100th anniversaries. On a (literally) smaller scale, Paul K. Guillow, Inc., the originator of the balsa wood airplane kit, will also mark its 100th year. These milestones offer us a chance to reflect on American contributions to aviation and the impact on our everyday lives.
Paving the Way to Powered Flight
During the Second Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and 19th centuries, industrial pioneers brought technological advancements to the United States, sparking a boom in industries across the nation.2 James Watt’s steam engine fueled developments in land and sea travel, making transcontinental journeys safer, shorter, and more comfortable for those who could afford it. These new possibilities paved the way for aviation pioneers like Otto Lilienthal and Samuel Langley in the late 19th century.3 Lilienthal’s glider flights in the 1890s and Langley’s steam-powered aircraft models in 1896 brought human-controlled flight within reach, inspiring the next wave of inventors.4
The Wright Brothers Take Flight
Many individuals would name Orville and Wilbur Wright among the greatest American inventors. Known for their engine-powered, manned flights, the Wright Brothers propelled humanity into the age of aviation. Their story begins not with their historic 1903 flights, but with their early years in Dayton, Ohio, surrounded by rapid industrial progress.5 As children, Orville and Wilbur were first captivated by the possibility of flight after receiving a toy helicopter from their father.6 This passion evolved as they opened the Wright Cycle Company in 1892, where they honed their mechanical and problem-solving skills on bicycles.7 Little did they know that their family shop would be a steppingstone to pursuing manned aviation–an idea that seemed impossible to many at the time.
Letter from Wilbur Wright of the Wright Cycle Company to Smithsonian Secretary Samuel P. Langley on May 30, 1899, asking for information relating to creation of a flying machine.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 31, Image No. SIA2014-05379
The Wright brothers set off to the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1900, with money saved from their cycle shop and dreams of building a manned flying machine. Following the flight breakthroughs by Otto Lilienthal and Samuel Langley in the late 19th century, Orville and Wilbur famously sought to achieve the first controlled, power-driven flight. In a letter to Samuel Langley, then Smithsonian Director, Wilbur wrote “I believe that simple flight at least is possible to man. I am an enthusiast, but not a crank. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and then if possible, add my bit.”8 Like their predecessors, the Wright brothers struggled with designing an airplane that was light, self-propelled and stable. Achieving flight rested on three mechanical concepts: lift, power, and control. First, the Wright Brothers needed to create a wing design that could lift the airplane into the sky. Second, they needed to create an engine that could power the airplane once it was in the air. Finally, they required a means to control the airplane during flight.9 On December 17, 1903, in the sandy dunes near Kill Devil Hill in North Carolina, the Wright brothers achieved their goal and soared for a 12-second, 120-foot flight.10 Although their flight was short, it signified the beginning of modern aviation and cemented the Wright Brothers into future history books.
The photograph shows the first powered, controlled, sustained flight, December 17, 1903.
Library of Congress, Control number: 00652085.
Aviation’s Leap from War to Wonder
Following the Wright Brother’s historic 1903 flight, the next 50 years witnessed an explosion of innovation fueled by commercial and military interests. World War I ushered in a new age of warfare where both sides used airplanes in large scale military operations, transforming them from experimental craft to essential wartime tools. Militaries adapted early planes, which were made of cloth, wire, and wood, to fit combat specific roles like bombers and nimble fighter planes.11 During peacetime after the war, planes entered the commercial sector as a type of rapid public transportation–though early passenger flights were uncomfortable and noisy. Airline travel was also expensive and not a common form of transportation for most Americans.12 The sight of an airplane in the sky up must have been a grand spectacle to view, as models were the closest an average American ever got to an airplane.
Paul K. Guillow: Inspiring Flight at Home
Guillow’s Model Aircraft Catalog, 1955.
Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play
Airplanes were quickly adapted for other commercial uses and became popular in toy stores as model airplane kits and children’s replicas. Companies like Guillow’s (Paul K. Guillow, Inc.) thrived by appealing to a widespread fascination with flight, producing model airplane kits for enthusiasts of all ages. Former World War I naval aviator Paul K. Guillow founded Nucraft Toys in 1926 and set up shop in his hometown of Wakefield, Massachusetts. His company capitalized on the public’s captivation with flight by producing model airplane kits made from strong, lightweight balsa wood. These kits were inexpensive and ranged from simple models to intricate replicas of military aircraft, allowing children and adults to explore their fascination with aviation through hands-on assembly. During World War II, Guillow’s released new models to mirror hundreds of airplanes developed by the United States War Department for combat. Customers loved the accuracy and attention to detail in Guillow’s planes and enjoyed the hands-on experience of building and flying the model aircraft.13 Throughout the years, as the company evolved and aircraft technology progressed, Guillow’s continued honoring the legacy of flight by offering historic models like the 1903 Wright Flyer. Paul K. Guillow, Inc.’s enduring appeal captures the spirit of aviation history and continues to produce detailed model planes that honor milestones in aviation.
Safeguarding Flight’s Legacy
As time and technology progress, it’s crucial to continue supporting institutions like Guillow’s and the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), which honor the history of flight and inspire new generations of aviation enthusiasts. Established by President Harry S. Truman in 1946, NASM celebrates both civilian and military advancements in flight.14 The museum carefully preserves and interprets artifacts that showcase the aviation journey from dreams of early flight to modern space exploration. It consistently ranks as one of the world’s most visited museums. Both NASM and Guillow’s owe their success to a shared mission: preserving aviation’s legacy while celebrating its future potential.
For many, childhood hobbies like model airplane kits hold lasting meaning. They provide hands-on experiences that foster curiosity and preserve an enthusiasm for flight across generations. As we look ahead to significant milestones in aviation, such as centennial anniversaries of Guillow’s, Lufthansa, and United in 2026, we celebrate the legacy of pioneers and the enduring appeal of model kits, which continue to inspire today’s aviators and hobbyists alike. Both Guillow’s and NASM remain cornerstones of American culture, honoring a century of aviation progress through ingenuity, perseverance, and a commitment to the legacy of aviation.
A park ranger talks with kids playing on a reproduction of the Wright Flyer, Wright Brothers National Memorial.
National Park Service.
Notes:
[1] https://www.history.com/news/history-flight-aviation-timeline.
[2] https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/industrial-revolution-in-the-united-states/.
[3] https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-steam-engines-4072565.
[4] https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/flight-airplane.
[5] https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/ohio#ohio-industry-and-economy.
[6] https://www.nps.gov/articles/wright-brothers.htm.
[7] https://www.thewrightbrothersusa.com/pages/the-wright-brothers-official-history-and-information.
[8] https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/wright-brothers/.
[9] https://www.nps.gov/wrbr/learn/historyculture/thefirstflight.htm,
[10] https://www.nps.gov/articles/wright-brothers.htm.
[11] https://www.spartan.edu/news/history-of-aviation/; https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/military-gets-its-wings.
[12] https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/evolution-commercial-flying-experience.
[13] https://www.newspapers.com/image/443743885/?match=1&terms=guillow; https://www.newspapers.com/image/443743852/?match=1&terms=guillow
[14] https://airandspace.si.edu/about/history.
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