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Wilber and Orville Wright

by Nihar from San Diego

“It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.”
Flight  (http://www.old-picture.com/wright-brothers/pictures/Wright-Brothers-Airplane-001.jpg)
Flight (http://www.old-picture.com/wright-brothers/pictures/Wright-Brothers-Airplane-001.jpg)

In the last century, there have been many astounding men who have achieved many great things. From Einstein to Ford, these inventors have really pushed the limits of our society and science. However, these men would never have had the possibility to be in the sky if it weren't for the great minds of Wilber and Orville Wright. Known as the "Wright Brothers," these two heroes never gave up and followed their dream. As a result of this, they shaped the way the world interacts and communicates with each other on a global scale by making the world a much smaller and efficient place to live in.

The Wright brothers have had their amount of failures, but that never stopped them. “Their first device failed to fly as a kite because it was unable to develop sufficient lift. Instead, they flew it as a free glider and learned a great deal from their experience, partly because of the careful records they kept of their failures as well as of their successes.” ("The Wright Brothers') The Wright brothers, literally keeping their heads high, even with disappointment, would always learn from their mistakes and never looked down to failure. They also gained a lot of experience with their persistence, which aided them along the way. “Returning to Dayton in 1901, the Wright brothers built a wind tunnel, the first in the United States, and here they tested over 200 models of wing surfaces in order to measure lift and drag factors and to discover the most suitable design. They also discovered that although screw propellers had been used on ships for more than half a century, there was no reliable body of data on the subject and no theory that would allow them to design the proper propellers for their airship. They had to work the problem out for themselves, mathematically.” ("The Wright Brothers") Inventors alike have to create their own base, especially pioneers in the field. They have to rely completely on themselves, which shows their skill and determination to achieve what no one else has done. Success is a journey, not a destination, even having gone through many trials and errors, they were determined to fulfill their dream.

Design (http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42295000/jpg/_42295868_air_wright.jpg)
Design (http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42295000/jpg/_42295868_air_wright.jpg)

Victory is shown in those who have worked hard and never gave up. When the Wright Brothers arrived at Kitty Hawk in 1903 for their historic attempt, they were almost certain of success. "The first flight was made by Orville and lasted only 12 seconds, during which the airplane flew 120 feet. That same day, however, on its fourth flight, with Wilbur at the controls, the plane stayed in the air for 59 seconds and traveled 852 feet. The brothers returned to Dayton convinced of their success and determined to build another machine.” (“Wilbur and Orville Wright”) Their achievement is not enough to satisfy Orville and Wilber. They have to keep trying, aiming for a longer and longer flight time. “They produced an engine that had four cylinders and developed 12 horsepower. When it was installed in the air frame, the entire machine weighed just 750 pounds and proved to be capable of traveling 31 miles per hour. They took this new airplane to Kitty Hawk in the fall of 1903 and on December 17 made the world's first manned, powered flight in a heavier-than-air craft.” (“Wilbur and Orville Wright”) After hundreds of airplanes built, their 750 pound plane was made capable to fly longer and faster. Time and quality is shown in their work, after all building a plane isn’t easy, but after 7 years, their dream has turned into reality. The brothers having finally tasted success are convinced that they can get a longer flight time. Their success fuels them to keep on going.

So what separates a hero from anyone else, is it determination, persistence, or the will to go above and beyond? The answer is all the above. The Wright brothers have dared to go beyond where no one else has gone. Even with all the failures and disappointments, they kept striving to learn more and get better. Their achievement is one of the greatest in history, man was not built to fly in the sky, yet the brothers have made this possible. They have taught us that we can all pursue our dreams and that the sky’s the limit. This is why Wilber and Orville Wright are heroes.

Sky (http://www.salesprouk.co.uk/images/the-skys-the-limit.jpg)
Sky (http://www.salesprouk.co.uk/images/the-skys-the-limit.jpg)

Page created on 2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 2/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

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Related Links

Aviation Inventions - Planes made by the brothers