Nexstar Media Wire

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) wasn’t about to let Ohio off the hook for its new license plate design, which mistakenly featured the Wright Brothers’ plane flying in reverse. (Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles)

(NEXSTAR) – The “First in Flight” state is trolling the “Birthplace of Aviation” on Twitter.

Earlier this week, Ohio unveiled its design for the state’s new license plate, which featured an image of the Wright Brothers’ plane dragging a banner reading “Birthplace of Aviation.” But within hours, Ohio officials had acknowledged that the plane — as it was depicted on the license plate — was oriented in the wrong direction, making it appear as if the aircraft was somehow flying in reverse.

Ohio’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles later said they regretted the mix-up and fixed the design.

We are aware that the plane on the new Ohio license plate unveiled this morning was oriented in the wrong direction. We regret this mistake and have fixed the image. This is the correct design that will be reflected on all new plates issued to Ohio drivers. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HAire7kr9M

It was an “easy mistake,” according Alex Heckman, a historian at the Wright Brothers National Museum in Dayton, Ohio, where the Wrights did much of their research and development. As Heckman told WCMH, the front of the Wright Flyer is often mistaken for the tail, as it contains two elevators used for controlling altitude.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), however, wasn’t about to let Ohio off the hook, seeing as their own license plates boast an image of the Wright Flyer to commemorate the Wright Brothers’ first sustained flight near Kitty Hawk.

“Y’all leave Ohio alone,” the NCDOT wrote on Twitter. “They wouldn’t know. They weren’t there.”

Y'all leave Ohio alone. They wouldn't know. They weren't there. #FirstInFlight ✈️https://t.co/bKL1TlT1Z8

The department’s tweet soon sparked dozens of replies from residents of both Ohio and North Carolina, many of whom debated the other’s claim to the Wright Brothers and their contributions to aviation.

one small problem with your argument: hiroshima was destroyed, while the outer banks became a world famous vacation destination. what is ohio known for, on the other hand? putting chili on spaghetti.

NC is #FirstInFlight

😆😆😆😆😆😆 Sorry, Ohio but this is true! The first flight for these Ohio boys was in North Carolina.

We deserved this shade.

we love this

Um….Hot take, seeing as NC served only as the flight location, both statements are correct. NC is the "first in flight" but the Flyer was designed and built in OH (then shipped and assembled in NC), so they are indeed the "birthplace of aviation".

Even the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District chimed in, asking a counterpart in North Carolina to “pick up this garbage tweet.”

note to @NCDEQ, could you please send someone to pick up this garbage tweet please and thank you.

In any case, Lindsey Bohrer of the Ohio Department of Public Safety confirmed that about 35,000 misprinted plates had already been produced. Those that were printed will be recycled, she told WCMH.

The news plates — featuring the Wright Flyer flying in the right direction — will be available Dec. 29 for newly registered vehicles and drivers in Ohio wishing to switch out their old plates.

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