The Wright brothers, Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright, were American inventors and aviation pioneers who are credited with inventing and building the first successful powered airplane. They conducted their first powered flight on December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, flew for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. The brothers were passionate about flight from a young age and spent years studying aerodynamics and developing their designs. They built several gliders before achieving powered flight, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and engineering. Their work laid the foundation for modern aviation.