Previous research and efforts ignited 20th century in the creation of revolutionary flights which could actually carry humans. Efforts made by Sir George Cayley, Otto Lilienthal and many other avian dreamers, had influenced 20th century scientists and engineers in the creation of safe and comfortable planes.

The revolution started at Kitty Hawk, where Wright brothers performed their first successful flight, followed by a seaplane by Henri Fabre, and then the development and the utilization of these flights and planes took place in the World War I, World War II and the Cold War. Later, tremendous technological developments and research resulted in the creation of revolutionary flights and planes which were used for military or commercial purpose. The timeline of aviation during 20th century is as follows:

During 1900 to 1924:

In 1901
• An aerodrome was one of the successful models created by Samuel Pierpont Langley, which had a combustion engine internally fixed and it was powered by gasoline. This flying model was based on his early stream inventions with wingspans extending up to 15 feet.

In 1903
• First controlled model was created at Ohio by Orville and Wilbur Wright which flew 852 feet over the ground.

In 1904
• Aerodynamics theory was described by Professor Ludwig Prandtl of Germany, which described molecular layer of air over the wings and surface of the aircraft. This theory is also called as a boundary layer theory.

In 1910
• First flight which could take off from a ship was experimented by Eugene Ely pilots in Virginia.

In 1914
• In New York, Lawrence Sperry developed a gyrostabilizer which was filed by an automated pilot.
• During 1914 to 1918 since the World War I, there were major developments and improvements in flights such as planes with higher altitude, structure, control or speed.

In 1915
• Aeronautical research center (federal agency) was started in United States called as National Advisory Committee.

In 1917
• Metal plane was introduced by a German Professor Hugo Junkers, which was built with light weight alloy aluminum and was named as Junkers J4.

In 1918
• Airmail postal service was introduced by US Postal Services.

In 1919
• First airplane was created by US Navy Department which fled across North Atlantic to London.
• First passenger service was introduced between London and Paris.

During 1925 to 1949:

In 1925
• Development in the air cooled radial engine led in the creation of the light weight, faster and bigger planes.

In 1927
• First solo flight was created by Charles Lindbergh which flew from New York to Paris which was also the longest open sea flight (2,400 miles) to date.

In 1928
• Electromechanical simulator flight was introduced by Edwin Link, which helped the cockpit to roll, yew and pitch.

In 1933
• Twin engine passenger plane was introduced by Arthur Raymond which would fly even if one engine goes out of control or fail to perform.
• Boeing, the first commercial airliner was introduced which had excellent takeoff and landing.

In 1935
• First Radar was built by Sir R Watson-Watt an British Scientist. This Radar detected ranging radio signals and it was used by Britan to track incoming planes and intercept bommers during World War II.

In 1937
• Successful Jet engine model was tested by Frank Whittle of Britain and Hans Von Ohain of Germany.

In 1939
• First helicopter with single rotor was developed by Igor Sikorsky of Russia.
• During 1939 to 1945 since the World War II, many inventions were reported such as airplanes with radar, radio wave navigators or Jet fighter planes.

In 1947
• Plane which could travel faster than sound was invented by US pilot Charles Yeager.

In 1949
• First commercial powered jet aircraft was developed by De Havilland Comet.

During 1950 to 1974:

In 1950
• Boeing developed B 25 bomber which has 8 turbo engines with a capacity of 500,000 pounds.

In 1952
• Aircraft designing concept was experimentally proved by Richard Whitcomb which is known as ‘area rule’ which helped to increase speed of the supersonic aircrafts.

In 1963
• Mass production of smaller Jet aircrafts was carried out which could carry 2 pilots and 5 passengers in a pressurized cabin.

In 1969
• Boeing 747 commercial airliner with wide body was developed using a power turbo fan.

During 1975 to 1999:

In 1976
• Commercial airline was introduced by Concorde SST, between Britain and France, which could fly with double the speed of the sound and can carry up to 100 passengers.

In 1986
• An aircraft with carbon composition and centerline engine was designed by Burt Rutan, which fled around the world continuously for 9 days.

In 1990
• Flying wing bomber (B2) was developed by Northrop Grumman which cannot be traced by the Radar.

In 1995
• Boeing designed biggest twin engine Jet 777, which was designed and engineered with the help of a computer.

In 1998
• Second generation of supersonic flight was developed by NASA with the help of American and Russian aeronautical companies.