FIRST IN FLIGHT: Dayton's museum designation adds new twist to old rivalry

Ohio and North Carolina have had differing views about who is the true "first in flight" state. It's even been a national story through the years. The North Carolina license plate says "First in Flight." The Ohio license plate says "Birthplace of Aviation."

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North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was quick to respond to our story when he tweeted a screenshot of the article announcing the news:

Credit: Chris Seward

Credit: Chris Seward

“Sure, the bicycle shop was special. We love you buckeyes but the Wright Brothers’ plane soared over the North Carolina outer banks. We’re first in flight. - RC,” read Gov. Cooper’s Tweet on Sept. 1. 

Wilbur and Orville Wright did, in fact, take to the East Coast to make their first controlled flight on Dec. 17, 1903 in Kitty Hawk, N.C.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, and commemorates the first successful, sustained, powered flights.

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However, Orville was born in Dayton, and the siblings lived in Dayton at the time they decided to develop an airplane. Dayton was the site of the majority of their work and preparation before they took to the Outer Banks for more suitable flying conditions, according to NCpedia.org.

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Credit: Sarah Franks

Credit: Sarah Franks

Comments following the governor’s response were split in support — some siding with Ohio as the true “first in flight,” while others backed the governor, knocking Ohio as “First in aeroplane design and partial construction.”

>> 5 reasons why Ohio will always be the state of aviation

Will the debate ever be settled?

>> The truth about who was first in flight