The Wright brothers opened their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, in 1892.
Orville and Wilbur Wright began by selling and repairing bicycles before manufacturing their own designs. Their business developed from Orville’s printing work and Wilbur’s interest in bicycles, which had become increasingly popular in the United States.
The shop gave the brothers practical experience with precision fitting, lightweight construction, chains, bearings, and customer service. Those skills later helped them build and repair their experimental aircraft.
The brothers operated several Dayton locations over the years. Their bicycle business was called the Wright Cycle Exchange and later the Wright Cycle Company, but the year 1892 refers to the opening of their first bicycle shop, not the later name change.