Aviation history began with early human attempts to fly, such as the mythical Icarus and the invention of kites in ancient China. The first successful powered flight was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903, marking the beginning of modern aviation. Throughout the 20th century, aviation technology advanced rapidly, leading to the development of commercial airlines and military aircraft. Key milestones include the introduction of the jet engine in the 1940s and the first supersonic passenger jet, the Concorde, in the 1970s, which revolutionized air travel.