The history of aviation began with early human attempts to fly, such as the invention of the kite in ancient China and the hot air balloon in the 18th century. The first successful powered flight was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903, marking a significant milestone in aviation technology. Following this breakthrough, aviation rapidly evolved with advancements in aircraft design and engineering. The introduction of commercial flights in the 1920s and the development of military aircraft during World War I and World War II further transformed the industry, leading to the modern aviation system we know today.