The first successful powered flight took place on December 17, 1903, by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright. This historic event occurred near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, when the Wright Flyer, a biplane designed by the brothers, flew for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. Their achievement marked a significant milestone in aviation history, demonstrating that controlled, sustained flight was possible with a powered aircraft. The Wright brothers' innovation laid the groundwork for the development of modern aviation, leading to advances in aircraft design and technology that we see today.