Who invented the first successful airplane and when?

The first successful airplane was invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright, two American brothers, who made their first successful powered flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, flew for 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet. The Wright brothers’ achievement was the result of years of experimentation with aerodynamics, control systems, and engine design. Their success is considered the birth of modern aviation, transforming transportation and warfare in the 20th century.