for_sv's blog

In 1903, two ordinary bicycle mechanics did the impossible. They gave humans wings. You know their names, but find out how Orville and Wilbur Wright gained the edge over rival inventors. In a word? Family. For 300 years, the Wrights placed great emphasis on achievement. Their father taught that family loyalty was the bedrock of life, and this philosophy gave the brothers the immense self-confidence to see them through many business ventures and aeronautic false starts. With no formal science training, they began toying with loftier ideas in 1895. They boned up on reference materials -- poring over previous flight accomplishments and failures, looking for a breakthrough. It came in 1899, when their wing-warping concept led to the Wright Kite. Over the next four years, test after test ultimately led to triumph at Kitty Hawk. In 1905, the Wrights finally mastered the practical airplane, formally propelling us into a century of flight.