In the spring of 1899, Wilbur Wright penned, “I wish to avail myself of all that is already known (of manned flight), and then if possible, add my mite to help on the future worker who will attain final success.” When Wilbur composed this modest declaration, he was 32 years old—a painfully shy bachelor living in his father’s home and earning only a modest income from a small bicycle shop he operated with his younger brother.

Many of the world’s greatest inventors, including Thomas Edison and Sir Hiram Maxim, had attempted—and ultimately failed—to solve the secrets of manned flight. Otto Lilienthal had died while attempting to pilot his flying machine. It seemed that the only remaining contender who showed any potential for success was the director of the Smithsonian Institution, Samuel Langley. With a sizeable government grant and the resources of the Smithsonian at his disposal, Langley was building a man-carrying version of his highly successful flying models, which had flown three years earlier.

At the dawn of the 20th century, no one could have suspected that two midwestern bicycle mechanics with no formal training or higher education would single-handedly solve the complex problems of flight, which had eluded mankind since the beginning of time. Now their miraculous story is definitively told in a new two-part, two-hour PBS special and Collector’s Edition DVD entitled KITTY HAWK: THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ JOURNEY OF INVENTION.

Over three years in the making, this epic documentary recounts Orville and Wilbur’s remarkable fiveyear journey of hardship and perseverance—culminating with their triumphant flights on December 17, 1903. KITTY HAWK interweaves hundreds of rare and unpublished photographs, detailed computer animated recreations, insights from eleven of the world’s leading Wright experts, and dramatic sequences of replica Wright brothers’ gliders in flight—all of which bring the Wright’s story to life with freshness and vibrancy. Legendary astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn portray the voices of Orville and Wilbur Wright—a fitting tribute from the greatest heroes of space to the pioneers of aviation.