What's the Truth?

Many people know the Wright brothers as the two great men who invented the first powered airplane. They see them as pioneers, as well as heroes; without them we would not be exploring the skies today. But is that really true? Maybe there's another side to this story, and maybe it's even possible that the Wrights actually slowed down early aviation instead of helping it along.

If the question were asked: "What would world aviation have been like in 1910 if there had been no Wright brothers?" the answers might be:

     1. "Man would still be earth-bound" by some
     2. "The same as it actually was in 1910" by better informed others
     3. "About where it was in 1915" by those knowing the full truth of the matter

Actually, the Wright brothers inhibited flight far more than they accelerated its development.

(Carpenter, Jack, Pendulum II p.ix)

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