Samuel Franklin Cody Makes Powered Flight In His British Army Aeroplane

October 16, 1908, Samuel Franklin Cody makes first powered flight in his British Army Aeroplane No 1. Cody, a former cowboy and gold prospector, left the United States to Britain in 1889 to set up a Wild West show.

Cody was Chief Kite Instructor to the British Army Balloon Factory at Farnborough (1902-09). In 1902 Samuel's wife, Leila Marie, became the first woman to fly, using his 'Man-lifting War Kite'.