The Wright Brothers Sweetgum witnessed man's first powered flight on December 17, 1903. With Wilbur running alongside, Orville successfully stayed aloft in the brothers' 40-foot wingspan plane for 12 seconds. One hundred years later, the basic concepts of flight discovered and demonstrated by the Wright Brothers were still applied in the field of aviation. The sweetgum exudes storax, a fragrant resin in the bark used for perfume and medicines. “Corky” wings are unique features that sometimes form on the tree's twigs.