

#899
Mentioned in 24 episodes
The Wright brothers
Book • 2016
This book tells the dramatic story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio, who changed history by inventing the first powered, heavier-than-air aircraft.
David McCullough paints a rich picture of the brothers’ intelligence, determination, and strong familial bonds.
Despite lacking formal engineering education, they persevered through relentless experimentation and sharp business instincts.
The narrative highlights their exceptional courage, intellectual curiosity, and mechanical ingenuity, as well as the broader historical and societal context in which they worked.
McCullough also reflects on the darker implications of their invention and its impact on the world.
David McCullough paints a rich picture of the brothers’ intelligence, determination, and strong familial bonds.
Despite lacking formal engineering education, they persevered through relentless experimentation and sharp business instincts.
The narrative highlights their exceptional courage, intellectual curiosity, and mechanical ingenuity, as well as the broader historical and societal context in which they worked.
McCullough also reflects on the darker implications of their invention and its impact on the world.
Mentioned by















Mentioned in 24 episodes
Recommended by 

as a compelling underdog story of innovation.


David Senra

3,379 snips
#385 Michael Dell
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing his reading habits as a child.

Ed Zschau

682 snips
#741: Jim Collins and Ed Zschau
Mentioned by 

as one of four books every young man should read.


Ben Wilson

387 snips
“You Couldn’t Pay Me to Stop” — David Senra on Obsession and Great Founders
Recommended by ![undefined]()

as a book about the Wright brothers and their perseverance.

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358 snips
Building beautiful products with Stripe’s Head of Design | Katie Dill (Stripe, Airbnb, Lyft)
Mentioned by 

as a recommended book on the Wright Brothers.


David Senra

309 snips
#200 James Dyson (Against the Odds)
Mentioned by 

as a book about the Wright brothers.


David Senra

188 snips
#271 Vannevar Bush (Engineer of the American Century)
Recommended by 

as an illustration of relentlessly resourceful founders.


David Senra

188 snips
#239 The Wright Brothers
Mentioned by 

as a recommended read for entrepreneurs, highlighting resourcefulness.


David Senra

172 snips
#38 The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos
Mentioned by 

as a biography of the Wright Brothers, which he reread two weeks prior.


David Senra

103 snips
#241 The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies
Recommended by 

for its concise and insightful portrayal of the Wright brothers' lives.


David Senra

98 snips
#168 Larry Miller (Driven: An Autobiography)
Mentioned by 

as one of his favorite books, praising its resourceful theme.


David Senra

78 snips
#156 Theodore Roosevelt
Recommended by 

as a short and fantastic biography of the Wright brothers.


Nathan Labenz

75 snips
E5: The Embedding Revolution: Anton Troynikov on Chroma, Stable Attribution, and future of AI
Mentioned by 

as a fascinating biography of the Wright brothers.


Barry Ritholtz

74 snips
From AQR Quant to Founder & CIO with Brian Hurst
Recommended by 

for its insightful portrayal of the Wright brothers' resourcefulness and perseverance.


David Senra

50 snips
#75 Henry Clay Frick: Andrew Carnegie's Partner
Mentioned by 

when discussing the Wright brothers' story and their impact.


Ryan Holiday

47 snips
Keep This Spark Alive In Them | Ryan Holiday
Mentioned by 

as the main source for the episode about the Wright brothers.


Ben Wilson

31 snips
Wright Brothers (Part 1)
Mentioned by 

as the author of a book about the Wright brothers.


Ryan Holiday

30 snips
How To Do Good For People | Congressman Tim Ryan
Mentioned by 

in response to ![undefined]()

mentioning David McCullough's book.


Barry Ritholtz

Mike Freno

20 snips
From Managing Portfolios to Running an Organization with Mike Freno
Mentioned by 

while describing the Wright brothers' ability to control their glider.


Ben Wilson

18 snips
Wright Brothers (Part 2)
Mentioned by 

while discussing the Wright brothers' story.


Shaan Puri

#218 - Why You Should Take a Think Week Like Bill Gates