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The World's Forum for Aerospace Leadership

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The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

is the world's largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession.
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    History of Flight Timeline

    Learn how today’s aerospace world evolved ... from the earliest dreams of flying ... to the 12-second airplane flight that gave humanity its wings ... to a planet driven by aerospace and now venturing ever deeper into space.

    Take a tour through the entire history of aerospace. Beginning in 3500 BC, we invite you to browse through the many contributions made to flight – right up to today’s most important developments.

    Click directly on the timeline to view a decade of accomplishments. Is an important milestone missing from our timeline? Please contact AIAA's Web Editor, Lawrence Garrett.


    WrightBros-early-Glider   Early Model Aircraft   F16   Boeing-787   Atlantis Blasts Off

     Pre-1700  1700s image  1800s  1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

    Back to History & Heritage >