How do you all feel about the Wright Brothers so far? Do you feel they are the true inventors of the airplane?
Although the Wright Brothers status as "inventors of the airplane" is debatable, I found it impressive that the brothers, without formal training in engineering, were able to self-teach themselves the principles of aviation and actually fly their plane successfully and with control. I don't agree with the idea that because the Wright brothers plane did not have wheels and they had to use a catapult that it disqualifies them from making a true flight. The fact that they could control movements and balance while in the air demonstrates a major breakthrough for that time, when even the Smithsonian could not achieve man-powered flight before this.
Although the Wright Brothers status as "inventors of the airplane" is debatable, I found it impressive that the brothers, without formal training in engineering, were able to self-teach themselves the principles of aviation and actually fly their plane successfully and with control. I don't agree with the idea that because the Wright brothers plane did not have wheels and they had to use a catapult that it disqualifies them from making a true flight. The fact that they could control movements and balance while in the air demonstrates a major breakthrough for that time, when even the Smithsonian could not achieve man-powered flight before this.