1905

January 18 In light of their success, the Wright brothers contact the government over possible sales to the U. S. Army, but no action is taken.

February 11 At West Point, New York, the 25-foot balloon L’Alouette rises from the siege battery there under Charles Levee; among those observing
is Cadet Henry H. Arnold, Class of 1907.

OCTOBER 5 Wilbur and Orville Wright solve a difficult equilibrium (balance) problem in their nascent airplane, the Wright Flyer III. This is the first airplane capable of taking off, turning, flying for 30 minutes in a circular flight ranging 24 miles, then landing safely.

OCTOBER 27 In Washington, D. C., the War Department is again contacted by Wilbur and Orville Wright, who feel their new flying device has potential mili­tary applications. The Board of Ord­nance, however, mistaking their letter as a request for funding, again turns them down.