The Triangle Icon: A Symbol for the Region

On December 17, the Triangle Icon was lit for the first time.

The Triangle Icon, which is located at RDU, commemorates the 100th anniversary of powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903. The sculpture evokes the spirit of invention and serves as a symbol for the Raleigh-Durham region. A 50-foot tower anchors the work and points skyward, symbolizing man’s aspiration to fly. The pair of intersecting wings represents the Wright Brothers and the notion of flight. The 120-foot elliptical ring represents the length of the Wright Brothers’ first flight and the circuitous nature of air travel involving time, movement and return.

The Triangle Icon was designed by Wellington

Reiter of Urban Instruments, Inc. of Boston. It is a joint project of the Cities of Durham and Raleigh, the Counties of Durham and Wake and the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority.

The sculpture is located adjacent to RDU’s parking garage across from Terminal A.

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