W. Wright to Smithsonian Inst.

 

 

Wilbur Wright and his brother Orville Wright was the inventor of first flying machines. They started their career by opening a bicycle shop that sold and repaired bicycles. Their bicycle shop was a huge success and the money they received from the bicycle shop supported them during their early years of aeronautical experiments. It was during this period that they wrote the following letter to The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex and research organization composed of 19 museums and 9 research centres. The letter talks about their research that resulted in to the invention of first flying machine. It also shows their urge to continue with their work in spite of financial constraint they were facing.

May 30, 1899

The Smithsonian Institution,

Washington:

Dear Sirs:

I have been interested in the problem of mechanical and human flight ever since as a boy I constructed a number of bats of various sizes after the style of Cayley’s and Penaud’s machines. My observations since have only convinced me more firmly that human flight is possible and practicable. It is only a question of knowledge and skill just as in all acrobatic feats. Birds are the most perfectly trained gymnasts in the world and are specially well fitted for their work, and it may be that man will never equal them, but no one who has watched a bird chasing an insect or another bird can doubt that feats are preformed which require three or four times the effort required in ordinary flight. I believe that simple flight at least is possible to man and that the experiments and investigations of a large number of independent workers will result in the accumulation of information and knowledge and skill which will finally lead to accomplished flight.

The works on the subject to which I have and access are Marey’s and Jamieson’s books published by Appleton’s and various magazines and cyclopaedic articles. I am about to begin a systematic study of the subject in preparation for practical work to which I expect to devote what time I can spare from my regular business. I wish to obtain such papers as the Smithsonian Institution has published on this subject, and if possible a list of other works in print in the English language. I am an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper construction of a flying machine. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and then if possible add my mite to help on the future workers who will attain final success. I do not know the terms on which you send out your publications but if you will inform me of the cost I will remit the price.

Yours truly

Wilbur Wright

Wright Cycle Company

1127 West Third Street,

Dayton, Ohio