The past, present and future at Wright-Patterson are all inextricably linked with the Wright brothers' legacy. The stories of the brother’s early years, their bicycle shop, their printing business and their early aviation efforts are in evidence throughout the greater Dayton area. Wright-Patterson's history as a military installation dates from World War I. Its aviation history, however, began in 1904-1905 when Wilbur and Orville Wright used an 84-acre plot of land, known as the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, for their experimental test flights. Here the Wright Brothers solved the final secrets of aerodynamics, learned to fly, and developed the first truly practical airplane— their 1905 Flyer. They returned to the Huffman Prairie Flying Field in 1910 to operate a pilot training school—The Wright Company School of Aviation—and a flight exhibition company.

When their operations ended in 1916, aviation had become a reality and a rich tradition of invention, operations, and education had been established on this sacred soil. The Huffman Prairie Flying Field was officially designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990 and became part of the newly created Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park two years later.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, three military installations were established in the Dayton area. Two of these would become part of Wright-Patterson AFB. The third was located near downtown Dayton. Their original missions—logistics, research and development, and military education—became the same mission performed at Wright-Patterson to this day.

Wilbur Wright Field and the Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot were adjacent installations located at what is today Area C of the base. Wilbur Wright Field was located on a 2,075-acre tract of land adjacent to the Mad River that was leased to the Army by the Miami Conservancy District. The lease included the Huffman Prairie Flying Field. The Signal Corps Aviation School established at the new airfield began operations in June 1917 as a training school for pilots. The field also housed an aviation mechanic's school and a school for armorers.

The Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot was constructed on 40 acres of land purchased by the Army from the Miami Conservancy District, immediately adjacent to Wilbur Wright Field.

It provided logistics support to Wilbur Wright Field and three other Signal Corps aviation schools located in the Midwest. Each day the depot received, stored, and issued equipment and supplies to the Signal Corps aviation schools in the region.