Final answer:
The Wright brothers' 1903 airplane was built with a lightweight gasoline engine and featured efficient aerodynamic shapes and a three-axis control system, marking a revolutionary advancement in aviation technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Wright brothers' 1903 flyer design incorporated a relatively lightweight gasoline engine and was particularly notable for its revolutionary, highly efficient use of aerodynamic shapes and the control mechanisms needed for flight. The 1890s advancement of the gasoline internal combustion engine made it a viable power source, and the brothers capitalized on this for their powered airplane. After several iterations and substantial experimentation with gliders at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, which helped them refine wing design and the equation for predicting lift, they achieved controlled, powered flight on December 17, 1903. What set their design apart was the implementation of a three-axis control system, which included techniques such as wing-warping to enable banking, much like modern aircraft.
Despite the brothers not having formal education in engineering or science, their mechanical experience from running a bicycle shop and their methodical approach to solving the problems of lift, propulsion, and control ultimately led to the success of their flying machine. Their development inspired a succession of innovations, significantly impacting the nature of aviation technology for generations to come.