How long has interest in flying in the skies existed?

The interest in flying in the skies has existed for centuries, with early records of humans attempting to fly dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Egyptians. However, the modern interest and pursuit of flight began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the invention of the airplane by the Wright brothers in 1903. Since then, flying has become a widely accessible mode of transportation and a popular recreational activity for people all over the world.