American History Tellers The Wright Brothers | The Art of the Bird | 1
Jan 1, 2025
In the late 1890s, two brothers from Ohio become captivated by the challenge of human flight. With no formal training, they study birds and build an ambitious glider in their bicycle shop. Their journey takes them to North Carolina, where they face fierce winds and swarming mosquitoes while testing their creation. The fierce competition in early aviation adds pressure, but their resilience and innovative spirit shine through as they navigate challenges and setbacks in their quest to conquer the skies.
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First Glider Test
- Wilbur and Orville Wright tested a glider prototype in a field, observed by curious boys.
- The glider flew briefly but crashed due to slack lines, inspiring the brothers to build a larger version.
Inspiration from a Buzzard
- While recovering from typhoid, Orville Wright was inspired by a turkey buzzard to pursue flight.
- He proposed building a glider, better than Lilienthal's, to understand the 'problem of flight'.
Self-Education in Flight
- The Wright brothers, with no formal training, studied birds and existing aviation research to learn about flight.
- They wrote to the Smithsonian and Octave Chanute for information and advice.
