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The unrecognized tragedy of the father of world aviation

VTC NewsVTC News19/06/2023


The story of the Wright brothers, Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright, is a testament to determination, ingenuity, and relentless pursuit of dreams.

Through tireless efforts, they changed the course of history, from humble beginnings to the flight that marked the birth of modern aviation.

The unrecognized tragedy of the father of world aviation - 1

On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers became the world's first pilots.

Historic flight that opened the world aviation industry

Orville and Wilbur Wright were born in the late 19th century in Dayton, Ohio (USA). From an early age, the brothers showed a passion for mechanical devices and a curiosity about the terminology related to flight. Inspired by the work of aviation pioneers, they delved deeply into the principles of aerodynamics and flight control.

The Wright brothers realized that successful flight required not only a means of propulsion but also a reliable control system. They conducted countless experiments, building and testing different aircraft designs.

Through rigorous testing, they developed several key innovations, including improved wing bending—a method of achieving lateral control by bending the wings. This breakthrough allowed pilots to maintain balance and stability throughout flight.

The unrecognized tragedy of the father of world aviation - 2

Wilbur Wright flies the Wright Flyer in the coastal fishing village of Kitty Hawk in 1903.

In addition, the brothers designed and built their own lightweight engines. Their 12-horsepower, four-cylinder engines provided the thrust needed to propel the aircraft into the air. They also developed wooden propellers, which were carved with precision and efficiently converted the engine's power into forward motion.

At 10:30 a.m. on December 17, 1903, near the fishing village of Kitty Hawk (North Carolina, USA), Orville Wright piloted the Wright Flyer, becoming the world's first pilot with a historic flight lasting just 12 seconds, traveling 91.44 meters.

Around noon that day, one of the few witnesses, Johnny Moore, ran down the beach and shouted: ''They did it, they did it!'', according to The New York Times.

That day, the Wright brothers made three more flights, the longest lasting 57 seconds and traveling more than half a mile. These were the first controlled powered flights in the history of aviation.

Unrecognized tragedy

After the success of the flight, the Wright brothers sent a telegram to the local newspaper and received the reply: “57 seconds? If it was 57 minutes, there would be something to talk about!”. Nevertheless, the flight appeared in the gossip section here and there. The American press was indifferent, many did not even believe it.

In May 1905, the Wrights invited reporters to a test flight of a model airplane at Huffman Praire near Dayton, Ohio, but the results were unsuccessful. The New York Herald criticized: “The Wright brothers have either flown or have not flown... They are either real pilots or simply liars. Flying is very difficult, not as easy as they say.”

Not giving up, in the summer of 1908, the Wright brothers announced two tests in the United States and France. On August 5, 1908, in front of many French people, the two brothers took turns flying 9 times with wide turns and demonstrated their flying skills. The flight in the United States was also successful. The Wright brothers were finally recognized.

The unrecognized tragedy of the father of world aviation - 3

Close-up of a Wright brothers airplane.

However, on September 17, 1908, while taking off with American Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge, his younger brother Orville Wright made three turns and the plane suddenly crashed. Orville was seriously injured, another person died.

On May 30, 1912, Wilbur Wright died of typhoid fever at the age of 45. His younger brother Orville ran the Wright Company alone. Aviation was becoming a promising industry, but that was also the time when Orville was involved in many lawsuits related to the theft of his brothers' copyrights in Europe. Exhausted, Orville Wright gave up his position as president and died at the age of 77.

Despite many hardships and tragedies, the Wright brothers' achievements and contributions continue to shape the world of aviation, inspiring generations of pilots and leaving a landmark mark on the history of human exploration.

(Source: The New York Times/Vietnamnet)


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