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American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Contact: Mel Torre 
Phone: (212) 591-8157 
E-mail: torrem{at}asme.org

THE WRIGHT FLYER III IS NAMED A HISTORIC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
LANDMARK BY ASME

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2003 -- For its significant place in aviation 
history as the world's first practical flying machine, ASME 
International (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) has named the 
Wright Flyer III a historic mechanical engineering landmark. A 
ceremony commemorating the designation will be held on Feb. 20, at 2 
p.m., at Carillon Historical Park's John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers 
Aviation Center in Dayton, Ohio.

The Wright Flyer III, built by Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville
(1871-1948) Wright, was the first airplane capable of sustained 
powered, maneuverable flight. Although similar in design to their 
celebrated first airplane, which flew for 12 seconds on Dec. 17, 1903, 
at Kitty Hawk, N.C., the Wright Flyer III was built with improved 
control and safety.

On Oct. 5, 1905, equipped with a stronger structure, a larger engine 
turning new "bent-end" propellers and greater control surface, the 
Flyer III flew for 39 minutes, 24 seconds, and covered slightly over 
24 miles, a distance longer than all previous flight put together.

While some fundamental changes in airplane design would come in the 
future, the basic concepts proved by the Wrights with the Flyer III 
remained the foundation for these designs.

After being rebuilt and restored with assistance from Orville Wright, 
the Flyer III was unveiled to the public on June 3, 1950, and remains 
one of the most significant artifacts in aviation's 100-year history. 
The exhibit is on display at Dayton's Carillon Historical Park.

To commemorate the mechanical engineering landmark designation, Susan 
H. Skemp, president of ASME International, will present a bronze 
landmark plaque to W. Anthony Huffman, chair of the governing board of 
Carillon Historical Park. 

"With the Wright Flyer III, the Wrights delivered on the promise of 
flight to the world. They were systematic and methodical, and they 
tackled the challenges in the best spirit of engineering excellence. 
With this work, the Wrights provided the model for research that 
helped to form what we now know as aeronautical engineering," said
Skemp. 

In 1990, the 1905 Wright Flyer III was designated a National Historic 
Landmark, the first and, to this day, only airplane in the United 
States to received such a designation. In 1992, a unique 
public-private partnership park, Dayton Aviation Heritage National 
Historical Park with four sites joined the ranks of the National Park 
Service. One of the four sites includes the Wright Flyer III, owned by 
private nonprofit Carillon Historical Park.

Since its inception in 1971, ASME International's History and Heritage 
Program has designated 224 historical mechanical engineering 
landmarks, heritage collections or heritage sites. Each selection 
represents contributions made by the technological advances of 
mechanical engineering and their impact on the quality of life.

ASME International is a 125,000-member organization focused on 
technical, educational and research issues. ASME conducts one of the 
world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous 
technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional 
development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized 
industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public
welfare and safety. 

EDITORS NOTE: Members of the press are cordially invited to attend 
this exclusive ceremony on Feb. 20 at Carillon Historical Park, 1000 
Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio.  Kindly RSVP by Feb. 10, to Mel 
Torre at 212-591-8157, or torrem{at}asme.org .

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