20th Century Technology

REUTERS

Airplane
The Wright Brothers' first-ever flight of a motorized airplane in 1903 spawned the age of flight and much of its attendant technology. The jet engine, supersonic flight, fighter aircraft, advanced avionics and space travel all are rooted in Kitty Hawk, N.C., site of the Wrights' feat. Their greatest legacy is perhaps a smaller world and a larger global economy, as people and goods take to the air in increasing numbers.

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