On this day 110 years ago — February 12-13, 1903 — Wilbur and Orville Wright, along with their mechanic Charles Taylor, completed and began testing the 1903 motor. The motor’s body and frame cracked during the tests, and it was determined that a new alumnium casting was needed.
This was the engine that eventually powered the Wright 1903 Flyer into history on December 17, 1903.
Here are some photographs, taken in 1928, of the 1903 engine (click to enlarge):
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- Bottom view of Wright 1903 engine (16-4-2)
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- Front view of 1903 engine (21-4-2)
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- Rear view of 1903 engine (21-4-1)
You can always see these and many more Wright Brothers photos anytime in our digital Wright Brothers Collection on CORE!