Early Aviation
Ongoing
From time immemorial, humankind has sought to take to the skies.
From the ill-fated flight of Icarus in Greek mythology, to the designs of Leonardo da Vinci, and the hot-air balloons of the Montgolfier brothers, explore dreams of human flight long before the development of the aircraft we know today. Learn more about the early days of aviation technology in Canada, and the long road to controlled, powered flight.
In February 1909, Alexander Graham Bell and his Aerial Experimental Association flew the Silver Dart across a frozen lake in Nova Scotia, marking the first controlled, powered flight in Canadian history. Learn more about the pioneers of early aviation in Canada and beyond.
Exhibition highlights
- Discover the early inventions of the Wright brothers and others – including an aircraft flown face-down!
- A section of tetrahedral wing developed by Alexander Graham Bell, which looked airy and light, but was so heavy that the aircraft couldn’t get off the ground
- A life-sized reproduction of the original Silver Dart, built by the RCAF to mark the 50th anniversary of Canada’s first powered flight
- The world’s only surviving Borel-Morane, the oldest known airplane to have flown in Canada
Collection highlights
You may also be interested in
Early Travel and Transport
Explore the evolution of recreational flying and commercial air services in Canada.
Commercial Flight
Explore the dawn of the jet age and the rise of air travel.
The First World War
Learn about the world’s first air war, and see some of the last airplanes of their kind in the world.