Ohio Aviation Through the Ages
When it comes to Ohio’s history, the sky is definitely NOT the limit. From the moment the Wright brothers pioneered a gravity-defying machine in their Dayton bicycle shop, innovation and ingenuity have kept the state at the forefront of modern aeronautics. Get ready to take off on an Ohio adventure to trace the evolution of powered flight in our atmosphere and beyond.
1900–1920: The Birth of Aviation
Orville and Wilbur Wright ushered in the age of aviation in 1903 with the world’s first successful manned flight. The original Wright Flyer never flew again, but back in Dayton, the brothers perfected and refined their designs. They landed the first military contract for an aircraft in 1909, and the following year, the Wright “B” Flyer became the first practical airplane to go into commercial production. The power of flight began a trajectory that would take hold across the globe.
See it in Ohio: Pay homage to the Wright legacy with a visit to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park. Exhibits tell the story of the Wrights’ professional life, from the printing business to the cycling craze. In a separate building, visit the Wright brothers’ fourth bicycle business, where they began manufacturing their own brand of bicycles and eventually decided to reach for the clouds.
History actually takes flight at Wright “B” Flyer, Inc., where a group of volunteers maintain and fly a replica of the Wright brothers’ first commercial aircraft, equipped with modern parts that meet today’s flying standards.
The serene Woodland Cemetery, a pleasant green space at the edge of the University of Dayton, is the final resting place for the famous flyers. The Wright plot tops a hill near eastern boundary of the cemetery and arboretum. Head to the Lookout for an aerial view of the city skyline.
1920–1940: The Golden Years
During these years, the burgeoning aviation industry experienced significant growth and innovation. Military aviation evolved, commercial aviation was beginning to take off and recreational flight became more common. In fact, barnstorming became one of the most popular forms of entertainment during the Roaring 20s as stunt pilots and aerialists performed jaw-dropping feats. During this era, many pioneering women defied traditional roles and took to the skies. Amelia Earhart, arguably one of the most notable aviators in history, set many flying records and championed the advancement of women in aviation.
See it in Ohio: The International Women’s Air & Space Museum, located inside Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport, showcases artifacts and photos of the many women of aviation. The collection includes a flight suit worn by Amelia Earhart.
The WACO Air Museum in Troy preserves the history of the Waco Aircraft Company, the leading manufacturer of civilian biplanes during this time period. Climb aboard a model of a World War II glider and watch historic footage of WACO airplanes in action. Practice your aviation skills in a simulator or take a real ride in the open cockpit of “Sunny,” a bright yellow WACO biplane.
The history of the Ford Tri-Motor “Tin Goose” and the Lake Erie Islands region are very much intertwined. Beginning in 1936, Ford Tri-Motors were a common sight in the skies above our region, playing a vital role to the isolated populations on the Lake Erie islands. The Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation sits inside Liberty Aviation Museum along with the Tin Goose Diner.
1940–1960: The War Years
By World War II, advancements in technology took aircrafts higher and expanded their capabilities for both commercial and military purposes. Air dominance became a vital strategy to the war effort, transforming military campaigns. Douglas C-47s were the workhorses of the era, delivering supplies and troops. The modern airliners famously dropped 50,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines in the first few days of the D-Day assault in Normandy, France.
See it in Ohio: Sit in the belly of a C-47 at the MAPS Museum in Green to imagine what it would have been like for a paratrooper just before leaping behind enemy lines on D-Day. The Military Aviation Preservation Society maintains other rare artifacts, including a piece of the USS Arizona, the battleship sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
At the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, the focus is on restoring vintage planes to working condition. The museum’s collection includes 8 vintage aircrafts representing WWII, the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Chat with volunteers as they restore the B-17 Flying Fortress or reserve a spot for a joy ride in an airworthy B-25 Mitchell, affectionately known as the “Champaign Gal.”
As impressive as these massive wartime relics are, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus shifts the focus to individual veterans who risked their lives in military operations throughout history. The timeline includes stories about hometown hero Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I fighter ace, and Marine fighter pilot turned astronaut John Glenn.
1960–1980: The Space Age
As the world worked to heal and rebuild in the post-war era, the field of aviation took a giant leap for mankind by setting its sights beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Spacecrafts didn’t just land humans on the moon, they pushed satellite technology into new territory and helped the U.S. achieve preeminence in space.
See it in Ohio: The first man to set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, started life on Earth in Wapakoneta, Ohio — home to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum, which resembles a futuristic moonbase. Once inside, catch a glimpse of moon rocks and Armstrong’s space suits from the Gemini and Apollo missions, plus more exhibits chronicling Ohio’s contributions to aeronautics and space exploration.
Cincinnati Museum Center is a one-of-a-kind, multi-museum complex housed in Union Terminal, a historic Art Deco train station and National Historic Landmark. Explore the Neil Armstrong Space Exploration Gallery and immerse yourself in a 360-degree theater experience.
Most of us will never experience space exploration for ourselves, but we can peer deep into the universe at the John Glenn Astronomy Park in Logan. Marvel at the moon, constellations, planets, passing satellites or other cosmic treasures on a starry night.
1980–2000s: The Digital Era
The invention of the modern computer changed every facet of life, including the field of aviation.
Digital technology has enhanced safety and efficiency from aircraft production to communication inside the cockpit. In many cases, technology developed for the aerospace industry has led to improvements in our daily lives on the ground.
See it in Ohio: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force occupies four large hangars on the grounds of the Wright-Patterson Airforce Base in Dayton. The vast collection includes more than 360 state-of-the-art military aircrafts from every era in the age of aviation. If you’re lucky enough to time your visit for Open Aircraft Days, you can get a closer look inside select planes.
Science, technology, engineering, and math come alive at the Great Lakes Science Center, which is the home base for Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Visitor Center. In the gallery, see what it’s like to live on the International Space Station, don a spacesuit for a photo op and study an Apollo command module. Download the NASA Glenn Visitor Center app to enhance the experience with immersive activities and augmented reality.
2000s–Today: The Future is Now
The turn of the century has proven just as evolutionary for the field of flight. Aerospace continues to push both earthly and universal boundaries as technology and science progress at a breakneck pace.
See it in Ohio: Inspire future generations to aim for the sky and shoot for the stars. The Center of Science and Industry, better known as COSI, has more than 300 interactive exhibits and experiments for curious minds. Ride in a space capsule, drive a radio-controlled wheeled rover through a Martian landscape and imagine life in orbit inside a replica of the International Space Station.
Inspire your young aviator with a summer unlike any other. Air Camp is the mission of a lifetime. From flying a real plane to exclusive access to flight institutions, Air Camp is a one-of-a-kind experience.
When the Cincinnati Observatory first opened in 1843, the idea of humans exploring space was the stuff of fantasy. The oldest telescope in the western hemisphere still stares toward the heavens, but now it can spot all kinds of artifacts from the space age. Dean Regas, the dynamic and engaging resident astronomer, helps visitors bring the complicated field of astronomy down to Earth.
Plot Your Course – Get started plotting your aviation exploration with our interactive map. Ohio boasts more than 45 aviation heritage and STEM-based museums across Ohio. This map features those sites within the National Aviation Heritage Area. For more sites in Ohio, scroll through our Itineraries page which is updated throughout the year.
