Croimpton, Samuel Willard. The Wright Brothers: First in Flight. Part of the Milestones in American History series. 110p. ISBN 978-0-7910-9590-4. Available at 629.13 CRO on the library shelves.
Wilbur and Orville Wright are known as the first people to fly an airplane. However, nothing in their lives predisposed them to become successful fliers. Born four years apart in 1867 and 1871 in a deeply religious family in Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur and Orville showed aptitudes for mechanical things, and soon founded a bicycle repair shop. In his spare time, however, Wilbur, who was fascinated by flight, studied the movement of birds and read voraciously on the subject of flying. Aside from balloons, no man had flown like a bird.
Eventually, Orville joined Wilbur's obsession, and they collaborated together on creating a glider that would fly. Carefully documenting each step, the brothers found a windy location in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on the outer banks by the beach. Kitty Hawk had dunes they could use to start the glider, miles of sand to crash in, and a very small population that would not spill their secret.
Over the course of four years, the brothers perfected their glider and made successful attempts at flying. Wilbur solved the mystery of the warped wing, which allowed more stability and maneuverability. Meanwhile, other competitors were also trying to build their own plane. Their mechanic, Charlie Taylor, created a small propeller engine for their glider, which achieved the first powered flight.
Despite their accomplishments, the Wright brothers's discovery was not at first accepted. They had to tour Europe and sell their plane there first before the United States government agreed to purchase a plane of their own. Wilbur and Orville conducted many aerial displays, with Wilbur flying around Manhattan Island and the Statue of Liberty in front of over 100,000 people. Embroiled in litigations, Wilbur died in 1912, while Orville continued to tinker with inventions until his death in 1948.
More than their discovery, it was their process that allowed them to achieve success. Their diligent application of science and dedication to keep on trying despite multiple failures set the Wright brothers apart, and demonstrate what effort can do!
Other books in the series include:
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