Wright Cycle Company, Dayton

Wright Cycle Company, Dayton

The Wright Cycle Company, founded by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, started as the Wright Cycle Exchange in 1892. They originally focused on bicycle repair, rental, and sales, while also running a print shop. Their bicycle business gradually expanded and relocated six times within Dayton.

In 1896, they began designing and manufacturing their own bicycles, including the Van Cleve and the St. Clair models. The company introduced innovations like the self-oiling hub and left-hand threads on the crankarm and pedal to prevent unscrewing. Their shop on South Williams St., where they worked from 1895 to 1897, is still standing and part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

The profits from their bicycle business funded their aviation experiments. By 1901, they were using a modified St. Clair bicycle to test airfoil designs and built a wind tunnel in their shop at 1127 West Third St. This site was where they also designed and built their first airplane, the Wright Flyer, which cost less than $1,000. The shop closed in 1909 as they shifted their focus entirely to aviation. The final shop building was moved to Greenfield Village in Michigan in 1937 with Orville's cooperation.

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Wright Cycle Company on Map

Sight Name: Wright Cycle Company
Sight Location: Dayton, USA (See walking tours in Dayton)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Dayton, Ohio

Create Your Own Walk in Dayton

Create Your Own Walk in Dayton

Creating your own self-guided walk in Dayton is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Wright Brothers Walking Tour

Wright Brothers Walking Tour

Renowned as the cradle of innovation for the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, Dayton, Ohio is rich with aviation history. The pioneers of powered flight transformed Dayton into a hub of technological advancement and ingenuity. Today, visitors to the city can explore several sites that commemorate their groundbreaking achievements.

The Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum is a perfect...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.8 Km or 4.8 Miles
Dayton Introduction Walking Tour

Dayton Introduction Walking Tour

Dayton, Ohio, often called the "Gem City" (for no apparent reason), is also known as the "Birthplace of Aviation" for being the hometown of the Wright brothers, inventors and builders of the first practical airplane. Additionally, Dayton is colloquially referred to as "Little Detroit" for its significant role as a Midwestern manufacturing center.

The original...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Dayton Historical Buildings Tour

Dayton Historical Buildings Tour

Dayton, Ohio, is home to a number of impressive historical buildings designed in a variety of styles, many of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

One such is the Montgomery County Courthouse. Constructed in 1847, it exemplifies the Greek Revival style with its imposing columns and classical facades. Nearby, the Conover Building, dating back to 1900, showcases Eclectic...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles