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)

Next: A Dream is Born

Introduction

In 2004, high school student Elora G. Lyda created a website that carefully explored the facts behind the Wright Brothers' troublesome influence on the development of aviation. This fascinating investigation earned a First Place trophy in California State's National History Day 2004 competition.

Her innovative website no longer exists, but I (Elora's Dad) recently discovered a CD that preserved each page of this prize-winning entry. I am recreating it here to honor her exhaustive efforts, and to provide a useful resource for future students and researchers.

This is a reconstruction of a website created more than ten years ago, so most of the links to other sites are no longer valid. Also, the videos Elora used have been replaced with currently available ones.

Below is the original animated background Elora designed for her 2004 GeoCities site

For more like this, go to: Jack Carpenter Collection

To see Elora's Wright Brothers Home Page, go here: What's the Truth?