Which event occurred first in aviation history?

The Wright Brothers made their first powered flight on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This event is widely recognized as the birth of modern aviation, as it marked the first successful sustained flight of a heavier-than-air manned aircraft. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated, as it opened the door to advances in aeronautics and established the foundation for all subsequent developments in the field of aviation.

The other events mentioned occurred much later in aviation history. Helicopters began to be utilized for rescue and patrol missions during the mid-20th century, significantly after the Wright Brothers' initial flight. The development of the first aircraft carrier came about in the early 20th century as well, but it also occurred after the Wright Brothers’ achievement. Finally, stealth aircraft technology was developed much later and was first used in combat in the 1990s during the Gulf War. By understanding the timeline of these events, it becomes clear that the initial powered flight by the Wright Brothers is the earliest milestone in the history of aviation.