Dayton ties inextricably to Aviation

The Dayton area has played a major role in the advancement of aviation and, conversely, aviation has been responsible for the major growth in the area.

In the recent past, it has been estimated that nearly 60,000 jobs in the region resulted from activities concerning aviation and aerospace research and technology. The area is home for one of the largest concentrations of aerospace engineers, scientists and technical expertise. Additionally, the numerous manufacturing facilities, service offices and advanced laboratories working in the field of aviation comprise one of the hightest such concentrations in the country.

To promote the image of technology and innovation that Dayton respresents requires a single, easily identified symbol . . . an icon.

That icon is the Wright Flyer,
specifically the 1905 Flyer III.

Through adoption of the Wright Flyer, the Dayton area has an instantly and internationally recognized symbol. Like the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building, that symbol will be married
to the city; to become inseparable
--both in fact and in image.

The Wright airplane as a monument
and focal point will do just that.