Wright Cycle Company, Dayton

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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

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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.
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The original...  view more

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

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Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Wright Brothers Walking Tour

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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