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This photo taken in March of 1901 shows Gustave Whitehead, his daughter Rose, and the "No. 21" powered monoplane which is believed to have flown on August 14,1901 in a Fairfield, Connecticut meadow, over two years before the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903. The plane is constructed mainly of silk and bamboo.

From Flight Journal - "The bamboo poles for the ribs were purchased at the Bamboo and rattan works in Lakewood, New Jersey. They originally furnished the bamboo, as wholesalers, in 1900, where Whitehead bought his - The Ryder and Hayes ship chandler's store on Railroad Avenue in Bridgeport.* "

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We were honored and thrilled to participate again when we were contacted by Maj. William J. O'Dwyer, USAF Reserve (Ret.) of the 9315th USAF Reserve Squadron to provide poles for building their reproduction which flew on February 18, 1998.

Check out the full article in Flight Journal - The "Who Flew First" Debate

* The "Who Flew First" Debate, Flight Journal, October 1998