It was a long and slow drive to the beaches of North Carolina, probably because it was the beginning of the summer holidays. It felt like going to the Mediterranean. The road led us to Kill Devil Hills - that great name is owed to the fact that ships transporting rum (called "Kill Devil" by the English!) would often sink of the shallow coasts and sailors would then hide the rum casks in the hills. These days Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and the barrier islands of the Outer Banks are famous tourist resorts. Finally, a place where the Atlantic Ocean is warm enough to swim in it !
The lighthouse at Cape Hatteras is a major landmark in the area. Many will remember it because of the strenuous 268 steps needed to climb to the top of the tower. The lighthouse was built in 1868 and is still the tallest in the USA. What is also very impressive is that in 1999 it was moved by 870 meters to safer ground, because of the erosion of the coastline. Most houses are actually built on stilts to better resist against the hurricanes and other weather-related damages.
The sandy area, steady winds and remoteness were decisive factors for the Wright brothers (Wilbur and Orville) to come here during three consecutive summers to try and build and fly the first airplane. They collected lots of scientific evidence and had to correct many features of their models. This certainly inspired them more than their bike shop in Ohio.
Finally on the 17th of December 1903, Orville managed to lift of the first plane for the whole of 12 seconds. The rock on the picture marks the first "lift off" of the plane.
Unbelievable how twelve seconds - and few meters - did change mankind. For the Wright Brothers, they patented their product and went on a sales' tour, which brought them success in Europe. Still, it is very obvious how their technology was then rapidly overtaken. Even those flying Boeing can notice an improvement...
It was a long and slow drive to the beaches of North Carolina, probably because it was the beginning of the summer holidays. It felt like going to the Mediterranean. The road led us to Kill Devil Hills - that great name is owed to the fact that ships transporting rum (called "Kill Devil" by the English!) would often sink of the shallow coasts and sailors would then hide the rum casks in the hills. These days Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and the barrier islands of the Outer Banks are famous tourist resorts. Finally, a place where the Atlantic Ocean is warm enough to swim in it !
The lighthouse at Cape Hatteras is a major landmark in the area. Many will remember it because of the strenuous 268 steps needed to climb to the top of the tower. The lighthouse was built in 1868 and is still the tallest in the USA. What is also very impressive is that in 1999 it was moved by 870 meters to safer ground, because of the erosion of the coastline. Most houses are actually built on stilts to better resist against the hurricanes and other weather-related damages.
The sandy area, steady winds and remoteness were decisive factors for the Wright brothers (Wilbur and Orville) to come here during three consecutive summers to try and build and fly the first airplane. They collected lots of scientific evidence and had to correct many features of their models. This certainly inspired them more than their bike shop in Ohio.
Finally on the 17th of December 1903, Orville managed to lift of the first plane for the whole of 12 seconds. The rock on the picture marks the first "lift off" of the plane.
Unbelievable how twelve seconds - and few meters - did change mankind. For the Wright Brothers, they patented their product and went on a sales' tour, which brought them success in Europe. Still, it is very obvious how their technology was then rapidly overtaken. Even those flying Boeing can notice an improvement...
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