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U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM
^[[Geo C. Maynard]]
November 14, 1911.

The first power-driven aeroplane produced by the Wright Brothers,of Dayton, Ohio, was put into operation at   Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,  December 17, 1903. in.  Many experiments and tests were carried out, ^[[and]] new inventions were made until when they offered to furnish a practical flying machine for the use of the United States Government.  This machine was brought to Fort Myer, Virginia, and many successful flights were made in September, 1908.  On the 17th of that month a mechanical defect in the machine resulted in its falling to the ground and Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge, U. S. A., who was a passenger with Orville Wright, was killed.  The machine was badly broken up and was never put together. The engine was but very little injured and was used in the next machine exhibited to the Government.

The second machine was substantially like the first with some improvements in the construction and operation.  This machine as ready for exhibition to the Government and, experiments were commenced by Wilbur Wright at Fort