The Wright brothers , Orville Wright ( August 19 , 1871 - January 30 , 1948 ) and Wilbur Wright ( April 16 , 1867 - May 30 , 1912 ) , are credited for making the first controlled , powered , heavier-than-air flight on December 17 , 1903 . The Wright brothers , Orville ( August 19 , 1871 -- January 30 , 1948 ) and Wilbur ( April 16 , 1867 -- May 30 , 1912 ) , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world 's first successful airplane and making the first controlled , powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight , on December 17 , 1903 .