History of Flight in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2026

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Flight (2012) stars Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot who miraculously saves a crashing plane through an unconventional maneuver. While initially hailed as a hero, Whitaker’s life unravels during the subsequent investigation, which uncovers his severe struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. The film offers a compelling character study, exploring themes of personal responsibility, denial, and redemption. As the NTSB inquiry progresses, Whitaker faces a moral crossroads: continue living a lie to maintain his professional reputation or confront his addiction and accept the consequences of his actions. Through intense performances and dramatic tension, the movie examines the blurred lines between heroism and human frailty, ultimately focusing on the protagonist's difficult journey toward truth and accountability.

1957: First Orbital Spaceflight

In 1957, humanity achieved a major milestone in aerospace history with the successful completion of the first orbital spaceflight.

1961: First Crewed Orbital Spaceflight

In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to be carried aboard a crewed orbital spaceflight, marking a pivotal moment in human space exploration.

2018: First Flight of Ionic Wind Plane

In 2018, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) successfully achieved the first flight of an aircraft that utilizes electroaerodynamic thrust, commonly referred to as ionic wind, which allowed the vehicle to fly without any moving parts.