Chapter 7-8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 7: The First Practical Airplane

Bishop Wright made a statement to the press immediately after receiving Orville's telegram.

"Wilbur is 36, Orville 32, and they are as inseparable as twins. For several years they have read up on aeronautics as a physician would read his books, and they have studied, discussed, and experimented together. Natural workmen, they have invented, constructed, and operated their gliders, and finally their 'Wright Flyer,' jointly, all of their personal expense. About equal credit is due each." (Chap. 7, p. 81)

Upon returning to Dayton the Wright brothers wrote their own press release. However, it was clear that before the Flyer could be considered to be a practical airplane it would have to be capable of more than brief straight-line flights. In the spring of 1904, the Wright brothers would work on a new plane on the outskirts of...