Orville continued to invent. Some of his work included, “helping to develop a racing airplane, guided missile, and "split flaps" to help slow an aircraft in a dive. But he also worked on an automatic record changer, a toaster, and children's toys,” (Wright Story, par. 18). Orville was a board member of the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), now known as NASA (National Air and Space Administration), for longer than anybody has ever been. He also helped with, “the Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, an effort that helped America recapture the technological lead in aviation during the 1930s,” (Wright Story, par. 19). In 1948, Orville helped rebuild Flyer III which was later put on display at Deeds Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio in 1950. Unfortunately, he didn’t live to see it; Orville died in 1948 from a heart attack.
The Wright brothers were unbelievable people. Nobody will ever forget these intelligent men, mostly for their amazing contributions to aviation. Now hopefully everyone will realize that it wasn’t just aeronautics they were interested in and successful with, but many other things such as the printing business and manufacturing bicycles. The Wright brothers could do anything they put their mind to.
Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. The Wright Story. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. 2 May 2007. <http://www.first-to-fly.com/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm >
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Life After Success
By 1904 the brothers produced a second plane, Flyer II. This plane was pretty much an exact replica of Flyer I. They tested this plane at Huffman Prairie in Ohio. They didn’t meet expectations with this plane and concluded that it must be because the winds weren’t as strong there as they were in Kitty Hawk. They built a catapult to help get the plane off the ground.
The brothers manufactured an even better aircraft, Flyer III, in 1905. They contacted several militaries from different countries trying to sell an aircraft. Nobody became interested until 1907, when the U.S. Army Signal Corps asked for one. Just a few months later, in early 1908, a French businessman agreed to purchase another.
The next few years consisted of several demonstrations. During a demonstration in Fort Myer, Virginia, Orville crashed and ended up breaking his leg and killing his passenger Lt. Thomas Selfridge. While Orville was recovering, Wilbur continued flying breaking record after record. Eventually the boys opened a couple flight schools. They spent a lot of time getting patents. One of the more serious lawsuits they came across was with Glenn Curtiss. Courts ruled in favor of the Wrights and Curtiss had to pay up for his accusations and attempts of copying the Wright’s planes.
The brothers were doing all they could to please the public at this point. They kept attempting to create faster and better performing planes. At this point they had other pilots to test their work. Many of these flight attempts were fatal and by 1911, other inventors surpassed the Wrights. The next year Wilbur passed away and Orville lost interest in flight and eventually sold The Wright Company in 1916.
The brothers manufactured an even better aircraft, Flyer III, in 1905. They contacted several militaries from different countries trying to sell an aircraft. Nobody became interested until 1907, when the U.S. Army Signal Corps asked for one. Just a few months later, in early 1908, a French businessman agreed to purchase another.
The next few years consisted of several demonstrations. During a demonstration in Fort Myer, Virginia, Orville crashed and ended up breaking his leg and killing his passenger Lt. Thomas Selfridge. While Orville was recovering, Wilbur continued flying breaking record after record. Eventually the boys opened a couple flight schools. They spent a lot of time getting patents. One of the more serious lawsuits they came across was with Glenn Curtiss. Courts ruled in favor of the Wrights and Curtiss had to pay up for his accusations and attempts of copying the Wright’s planes.
The brothers were doing all they could to please the public at this point. They kept attempting to create faster and better performing planes. At this point they had other pilots to test their work. Many of these flight attempts were fatal and by 1911, other inventors surpassed the Wrights. The next year Wilbur passed away and Orville lost interest in flight and eventually sold The Wright Company in 1916.
December 17, 1903
By now, the brothers had started to become homesick. They wanted to be back in time for Christmas. They decided they better get to work quick it they wanted to do that. On December 17, 1903 the brothers decided they would give their plane another shot even though the weather wasn't at it's best. The winds were gusting 27 mph, which could quickly throw the plane out of line. Even so, the brothers somehow managed to get Flyer I up this day. Orville was first at the controls and piloted the plane up in the air for 12 seconds for 120 feet. They averaged 30 mph in the air with these flights. "For the first time ever, a flying machine had taken off from level ground, traveled through the air, and landed under the control of its pilot," (The Wright Story). The Wright brothers were happy, but not satisfied. They knew they could do much better.
Wilbur piloted the second flight of the day which covered 175 feet. Then it was Orville's turn again. He landed 200 feet from the starting point. The forth and last flight of the day was made by Wilbur. With the help of a gust of wind, he managed to fly the plane 852 feet for 59 seconds. This ended their flights for the day. While they were carrying the airplane back to the launching point, the wind flipped the plane and caused severe damage. Flyer I would never fly again.
The Wight Story. 24 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright>
Wilbur piloted the second flight of the day which covered 175 feet. Then it was Orville's turn again. He landed 200 feet from the starting point. The forth and last flight of the day was made by Wilbur. With the help of a gust of wind, he managed to fly the plane 852 feet for 59 seconds. This ended their flights for the day. While they were carrying the airplane back to the launching point, the wind flipped the plane and caused severe damage. Flyer I would never fly again.
The Wight Story. 24 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright>
Building the Airplane
Wilbur wrote to ten different engine manufacturers asking for an engine that weighed less than 180 pounds and produce at least 8 horsepower for his and his brother's airplane they were building. After they realized their was no engine under those speculations and no company was willing to build one they turned to Charlie Taylor. They ended up finishing the engine in six weeks. The brothers did some test on the engine and encountered difficulties, but Taylor had it rebuilt in May, just in time for the 1903 flying season.
This 1903 airplane was the largest that the brothers had ever built. It was 40 feet from wingtip to wingtip. They had to pack up parts and finish building it at Kitty Hawk because of how enormous it was.
The Wright's arrive at Kitty Hawk in September 1903 and began building a new hanger, a sheltered area where planes are built or repaired, for their large aircraft. They encountered some manufacturing problems. In the mean time, they practiced glides with the 1902 glider. By early December all the glitches were figured out and they just had to be patient and wait for the winds to pick up.
Finally on December 14 the winds picked up. The brothers tossed a coin to see who would fly first; Orville won. The brothers, along with the life saving crew, were ready to fly. They started the engine, but the plane took off without Orville and quickly reached 15 feet before it stalled and came crashing down. Orville was unfamiliar with the controls and accidentally tried to climb higher in the air before he should have. At this point it was clear the plane would fly once it was fixed.
This 1903 airplane was the largest that the brothers had ever built. It was 40 feet from wingtip to wingtip. They had to pack up parts and finish building it at Kitty Hawk because of how enormous it was.
The Wright's arrive at Kitty Hawk in September 1903 and began building a new hanger, a sheltered area where planes are built or repaired, for their large aircraft. They encountered some manufacturing problems. In the mean time, they practiced glides with the 1902 glider. By early December all the glitches were figured out and they just had to be patient and wait for the winds to pick up.
Finally on December 14 the winds picked up. The brothers tossed a coin to see who would fly first; Orville won. The brothers, along with the life saving crew, were ready to fly. They started the engine, but the plane took off without Orville and quickly reached 15 feet before it stalled and came crashing down. Orville was unfamiliar with the controls and accidentally tried to climb higher in the air before he should have. At this point it was clear the plane would fly once it was fixed.
Fixing the Rudder
After thinking everything over, Orville came to the conclusion that the problem would be solved if he could fix the rudder to actually move and be controlled. "This would allow the pilot to adjust its angle during a turn to overcome the drag from the high wing, keep the inside wing from losing too much lift, and prevent the aircraft from skidding," (The Wright Story). Wilbur agreed with this idea, but decided that the pilot already had enough to do with the wing warping controls. "Instead, the brothers coupled the wires that turned the rudder to the wing warping mechanism," (The Wright Story). This perfected the control and made the 1902 glider the "first aircraft capable of being precisely balanced in flight...So basic was this breakthrough that every aircraft (and spacecraft!) flying today still uses the same fundamental...controls first developed by the Wright brothers," (The Wright Story).
All this led to Kitty Hawk becoming a very busy place. Several people became interested in the boys success and went out to view the spectacular event for themselves. Among these people were Octave Chanute, George Spratt, and Augustus Herring all of which were aeronautical engineers. Herring tried his attempt at gliding, but it was barely able to make it 50 feet off the ground. He ended up humiliated and jealous of the Wright's success.
The brother's best flight of the year was in October after the massive crowds left. Wilbur made a glide covering 622 feet and Orville’s best was 615 feet (The Wright Story).
The Wight Story. 24 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright>
All this led to Kitty Hawk becoming a very busy place. Several people became interested in the boys success and went out to view the spectacular event for themselves. Among these people were Octave Chanute, George Spratt, and Augustus Herring all of which were aeronautical engineers. Herring tried his attempt at gliding, but it was barely able to make it 50 feet off the ground. He ended up humiliated and jealous of the Wright's success.
The brother's best flight of the year was in October after the massive crowds left. Wilbur made a glide covering 622 feet and Orville’s best was 615 feet (The Wright Story).
The Wight Story. 24 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright>
The Glider of 1902
The Wright brothers were on their way back to Kitty Hawk at the end of August 1902. Their new glider looked nothing like their previous ones. The wings were ten feet longer and the chord, "a straight line joining the trailing and leading edges of an airfoil section," (Dictionary.com) was two feet shorter. The wings also followed a slight parabolic curve. The elevator, "a hinged horizontal surface on an airplane...used to control the longitudinal inclination..." (Dictonary.com) was placed more in front of the pilot which gave more leverage which meant better control. They also decided to replace the tail that they had discontinued using in 1900. This glider had two rudders placed in the back of the glider.
First they tested this glider out as a kite. Quickly it became evident that their new glider was much more advanced when it was producing the expected lift. "Within a few weeks, they were making glides of over 500 feet," (The Wight Story). Eventually the glider came crashing down, but this never discouraged the Wright brothers. They did some quick repairs and had the glider back up in no time.
First they tested this glider out as a kite. Quickly it became evident that their new glider was much more advanced when it was producing the expected lift. "Within a few weeks, they were making glides of over 500 feet," (The Wight Story). Eventually the glider came crashing down, but this never discouraged the Wright brothers. They did some quick repairs and had the glider back up in no time.
They still had a major problem, the plane slipped in turns. The tail didn't help at all; in fact, Wilbur believed the tail was making the problem worse. He believed it was creating more drag which slowed the plane down even more than it usually would in their turns. This made the plane fall out of the sky, spiraling down to the ground.
"Chord." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 24 Apr. 2007. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chord>.
"Elevator." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 24 Apr. 2007. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/elevator>.
The Wight Story. 14 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright %20Story/wright%20story.htm>
Monday, April 23, 2007
More Questions Raised
The Wright brothers's 1900 and 1901 gliding experiments didn't produce the lift that they expected and had several accidents. They concluded that the calculations Otto Lilienthal had produced were wrong, and Wilbur wrote a speech to the public explaining why he and Orville believed so. A copy of this speech was published in the well-known journal of the Western Society of Engineers. The public was unsure about these boys questioning Otto Lilienthal, after all he had been successful until his accident. Soon after, the brothers's built a wind tunnel and began more of their own testing. Their results were astonishing. Lilienthal's tables of calculations were correct. The brothers found the error was a number in the equation Lilienthal used to calculate lift. The coefficient of air pressure was way off. "This number had been developed in the mid-eighteenth century by an English engineer, John Smeaton, to design more efficient windmills. It had been in general use for nearly a century and a half, long enough to be accepted as gospel," (The Wright Story).
The brothers also realized that Otto Lilienthal's wings he used were not as effective. He had the "The curves of the German’s wing[s] were sections of a circle. The highest point was in the center of the chord, midway between the leading and trailing edges. Wilbur and Orville found that a wing produced much more lift if its curve followed the shape of a parabola, with the high point about one quarter of the chord behind the leading edge," (The Wright Story). Now, what they needed to do was concentrate more on control.
The Wight Story. 14 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright %20Story/wright%20story.htm>
The brothers also realized that Otto Lilienthal's wings he used were not as effective. He had the "The curves of the German’s wing[s] were sections of a circle. The highest point was in the center of the chord, midway between the leading and trailing edges. Wilbur and Orville found that a wing produced much more lift if its curve followed the shape of a parabola, with the high point about one quarter of the chord behind the leading edge," (The Wright Story). Now, what they needed to do was concentrate more on control.
The Wight Story. 14 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright %20Story/wright%20story.htm>
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wikipedia and Dictionaries
I am guilty of using Wikipedia as a source. I had looked up a definition of wing warping. This was before my English class was warned about the credibility Wikipedia has. I already had a good idea what this technique was and I thought the explanation of wing warping was much better than anything I could have ever put together. Personally, I have always loved the Wikipedia page, but I do realize a different encyclopedia could be more accurate and trustworthy. This page is just convenient because it’s free and online ready to use. Instead of quoting Wikipedia for the final paper, I think I will change this source to Dictionary.com.
Dictionary.com has helped me already also. I have found it to always be accurate. Dictionaries are a good source to use as often as you need to. I used it to look up the meaning of ailerons. Although I already knew what this word was, it is something hard to explain is so few and exact words.
I also found more helpful information on Wikipedia when I looked up the Wright Flyer. The article was on the Wright Flyer I and I think it is amazing. I found it to be very descriptive and would be very helpful while writing about the plane and the brother’s first flights. I don’t think we are supposed to quote Wikipedia in our final paper, but I would still recommend this article to anyone. I have recently come across a Wikipedia article that was inaccurate when I was researching John Glenn for a different project, so like my English teacher I will also advise you to be careful with this website.
"Ailerons." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 14 March 2007. <http://www.dictionary.referance.com/browse/ailerons>
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. "Wight Flyer." 17 April 2007. 18 April 2007. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Flyer>
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. "Wing Warping." 3 Feb. 2007. 6 Feb. 2007. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_warping>
Dictionary.com has helped me already also. I have found it to always be accurate. Dictionaries are a good source to use as often as you need to. I used it to look up the meaning of ailerons. Although I already knew what this word was, it is something hard to explain is so few and exact words.
I also found more helpful information on Wikipedia when I looked up the Wright Flyer. The article was on the Wright Flyer I and I think it is amazing. I found it to be very descriptive and would be very helpful while writing about the plane and the brother’s first flights. I don’t think we are supposed to quote Wikipedia in our final paper, but I would still recommend this article to anyone. I have recently come across a Wikipedia article that was inaccurate when I was researching John Glenn for a different project, so like my English teacher I will also advise you to be careful with this website.
"Ailerons." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 14 March 2007. <http://www.dictionary.referance.com/browse/ailerons>
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. "Wight Flyer." 17 April 2007. 18 April 2007. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Flyer>
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. "Wing Warping." 3 Feb. 2007. 6 Feb. 2007. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_warping>
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Plagiarism?
The source that helped me out the most was The Wright Story located at http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm. It is an online source, but it has given me exactly what I have needed. The web site begins at the Wright brother’s childhood and tells detailed information about their lives. I like the web site because, unlike most books, everything is straight forward and to the point. It even helped with all my power point pictures that I used. They have a link on their main page to give you plenty of pictures of the Wright family and of the brother’s work. Luckily I found this web site early and it has made the project a lot easier for me.
Later on I ran into the site http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay_cat/3.htm. This web address takes you to a page where it has links to several different parts of the Wright brother’s lives. It looks to me like the web site that I looked so highly upon before that I mentioned above copy and pasted pages at a time from this site. Almost all of the pictures are the same also. I couldn’t fine any citations on either of the web pages. I tend to trust the government site more, but the other site has even more on the brothers. Each offers great information that I would suggest to anyone. Since I have been using The Wright Story since the very beginning, it is hard to decide whether of not I should continue to use it.
The Wight Story. 14 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright %20Story/wright%20story.htm>
Centennialofflightadmin@hq.nasa.gov. U.S. Centennial Of Flight Commission. "Wright Brothers." <http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay_cat/3.htm>
Later on I ran into the site http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay_cat/3.htm. This web address takes you to a page where it has links to several different parts of the Wright brother’s lives. It looks to me like the web site that I looked so highly upon before that I mentioned above copy and pasted pages at a time from this site. Almost all of the pictures are the same also. I couldn’t fine any citations on either of the web pages. I tend to trust the government site more, but the other site has even more on the brothers. Each offers great information that I would suggest to anyone. Since I have been using The Wright Story since the very beginning, it is hard to decide whether of not I should continue to use it.
The Wight Story. 14 April 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. <http://wright-brothers.org/History/Wright %20Story/wright%20story.htm>
Centennialofflightadmin@hq.nasa.gov. U.S. Centennial Of Flight Commission. "Wright Brothers." <http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay_cat/3.htm>
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Expository vs. Persuasive
Blog 12
My paper is going to be an expository paper that informs people about the Wright Brothers. I didn't realize it when I started it, but it is turning out to be a biography. I have learned so many interesting facts about the brothers that most people wouldn't know. I think it's interesting that before the boys were even teenagers they both knew that they wanted to build a plane to carry somebody in the air. Another thing I found astonishing about them was that neither of them even completed high school. If it wasn't for their parents believing in them so much, I'm not sure they could have ever come this far.
I thought about doing a persuasive paper after I had worked on my anti-paper. My anti-paper was about Glenn Curtiss since him and the Wright's had become rivals. If I would have done this I would have taken the Wright brother's side because everything they did came before Glenn Curtiss' work. Although, I do feel bad for Glenn Curtiss because he was never recognized at all until after his death. It's interesting thinking of how my paper would have ended up if I would have chosen him. When I did the two page paper on him it was harder to find as much information about him. I'm glad I didn't pick him because I think it would be a stretch trying to find all the information about him that I would need. The Wright brothers have a millions of web pages to go to and I'm a lot more confident that I can make the research paper about them.
My paper is going to be an expository paper that informs people about the Wright Brothers. I didn't realize it when I started it, but it is turning out to be a biography. I have learned so many interesting facts about the brothers that most people wouldn't know. I think it's interesting that before the boys were even teenagers they both knew that they wanted to build a plane to carry somebody in the air. Another thing I found astonishing about them was that neither of them even completed high school. If it wasn't for their parents believing in them so much, I'm not sure they could have ever come this far.
I thought about doing a persuasive paper after I had worked on my anti-paper. My anti-paper was about Glenn Curtiss since him and the Wright's had become rivals. If I would have done this I would have taken the Wright brother's side because everything they did came before Glenn Curtiss' work. Although, I do feel bad for Glenn Curtiss because he was never recognized at all until after his death. It's interesting thinking of how my paper would have ended up if I would have chosen him. When I did the two page paper on him it was harder to find as much information about him. I'm glad I didn't pick him because I think it would be a stretch trying to find all the information about him that I would need. The Wright brothers have a millions of web pages to go to and I'm a lot more confident that I can make the research paper about them.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Summery: Part II
(Blog 11: Who, What, When, Why, Where, and How Continued)
So what are the other accomplishments they Wright's have done? Well ever since they were young they studied hard and always wanted to know more. As they got older, they got into the printing business. This led to them becoming writers and editors, which was somewhat successful, but not as successful as they would have liked. They went back to being printers until they got caught up in the new bicycle craze. They started repairing bikes, and also ended up building their own to sell. They started getting interesting in people, mostly French men, attempting to fly. They began to do research and their own testing.
So why and how did these boys succeed in everything they did? Well, ever since they were young their family had encouraged the kids to study and investigate anything that interested them. They put a lot of effort into everything they did. With their work on the plane, they started small. First, they used kites to start their test. Then in 1899, the brothers built their first glider.
They choose Kitty Hawk, North Carolina as their testing spot because of the strong, steady winds and the level ground. The land also had few trees and it, for the most part, had good weather conditions. The sand could also somewhat softened the landing. They completed several tests there starting in 1900. On December 17, 1903, the brothers finally succeeded in successful and controlled flight in a biplane they had built. The flight lasted twelve seconds and the longest that day was fifty-seven seconds. This was the beginning of successful and controlled flight.
So what are the other accomplishments they Wright's have done? Well ever since they were young they studied hard and always wanted to know more. As they got older, they got into the printing business. This led to them becoming writers and editors, which was somewhat successful, but not as successful as they would have liked. They went back to being printers until they got caught up in the new bicycle craze. They started repairing bikes, and also ended up building their own to sell. They started getting interesting in people, mostly French men, attempting to fly. They began to do research and their own testing.
So why and how did these boys succeed in everything they did? Well, ever since they were young their family had encouraged the kids to study and investigate anything that interested them. They put a lot of effort into everything they did. With their work on the plane, they started small. First, they used kites to start their test. Then in 1899, the brothers built their first glider.
They choose Kitty Hawk, North Carolina as their testing spot because of the strong, steady winds and the level ground. The land also had few trees and it, for the most part, had good weather conditions. The sand could also somewhat softened the landing. They completed several tests there starting in 1900. On December 17, 1903, the brothers finally succeeded in successful and controlled flight in a biplane they had built. The flight lasted twelve seconds and the longest that day was fifty-seven seconds. This was the beginning of successful and controlled flight.
Summery
Blog 10: Who, What, When, Why, Where, and How
My final paper for my English class is going to be about the Wright brothers. It will not only be about their world changing work on the plane, but all their accomplishments. The Wright's were an average American family. Wilbur Wright was the third child of seven born in 1867 near Millville, Indiana. Orville was the sixth child and was born in 1871, in Dayton, Ohio. The Wright family moved twelve times before finally settling in Dayton. Their father was a clergyman, so around the neighborhood they were known as "the bishop's kids."
They began their interest in flight at a very young age. Their father had bought the boys a toy helicopter that had been designed by Alphonse Penaud. Wilbur was twelve and Orville was eight when they began building copies of this toy. Their copies had worked just as well as the one made by Penaud, but when they tried to make a larger scaled one, it failed to work as well. They didn't understand why at the time and lost interest. In 1896 they regained their interest in flight when they read numerous articles on Otto Lilianthal and his experiments and his unfortunate death. The brothers looked to find books on flight, but couldn't find as much information as they would have liked. By 1899 they found a book they especially liked on ornithology (if you don't remember or haven't read previous blogs, this is the study of bird flight). They realized it wasn't the flapping motion that kept birds up, but that they soared through the air without using muscles to keep them up.
This is Orville's sketch of they toy helicopter.
Picture was originally found at http://www.first-to-fly.com/History/Wright%20Story/special.htm
My final paper for my English class is going to be about the Wright brothers. It will not only be about their world changing work on the plane, but all their accomplishments. The Wright's were an average American family. Wilbur Wright was the third child of seven born in 1867 near Millville, Indiana. Orville was the sixth child and was born in 1871, in Dayton, Ohio. The Wright family moved twelve times before finally settling in Dayton. Their father was a clergyman, so around the neighborhood they were known as "the bishop's kids."
They began their interest in flight at a very young age. Their father had bought the boys a toy helicopter that had been designed by Alphonse Penaud. Wilbur was twelve and Orville was eight when they began building copies of this toy. Their copies had worked just as well as the one made by Penaud, but when they tried to make a larger scaled one, it failed to work as well. They didn't understand why at the time and lost interest. In 1896 they regained their interest in flight when they read numerous articles on Otto Lilianthal and his experiments and his unfortunate death. The brothers looked to find books on flight, but couldn't find as much information as they would have liked. By 1899 they found a book they especially liked on ornithology (if you don't remember or haven't read previous blogs, this is the study of bird flight). They realized it wasn't the flapping motion that kept birds up, but that they soared through the air without using muscles to keep them up.
This is Orville's sketch of they toy helicopter.
Picture was originally found at http://www.first-to-fly.com/History/Wright%20Story/special.htm
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Progress
Blog 9
Up to this point I have always had plenty of sources to go to. I am a little worried about putting everything into the instant expert paper which is supposed to be a minimum of 12 pages. There is only so much you can write about two people. I think that I might have to elaborate on people that worked with the Wright's to be able to complete the paper. I think I will write a lot about their rivals and some of the accomplishments that were made in France before the Wrights even began working on the plane. I also hope to find detailed information of how they actually put the plane together.
For the opposing paper that is due Tuesday, March 13, I was puzzled what I would write about. The Wright's don't have opposing things about them. They always worked together and seemed just alike. First I thought of doing something about how the car was built, but that wouldn't have anything beneficial to my final paper and sounded pretty boring to me. Thanks to Beth, she came up with the idea of writing about the rivals. So far all my research has been promising for this paper. I think I will be able to complete it without any problem.
Overall I think everything will turn out ok. I wish I would have picked a subject that was slightly broader, such as all the accomplishments working to make the plane. Then I could have talked about several people's work. I think my subject will turn out fine; it will just be a little more work looking for the details of everything.
Up to this point I have always had plenty of sources to go to. I am a little worried about putting everything into the instant expert paper which is supposed to be a minimum of 12 pages. There is only so much you can write about two people. I think that I might have to elaborate on people that worked with the Wright's to be able to complete the paper. I think I will write a lot about their rivals and some of the accomplishments that were made in France before the Wrights even began working on the plane. I also hope to find detailed information of how they actually put the plane together.
For the opposing paper that is due Tuesday, March 13, I was puzzled what I would write about. The Wright's don't have opposing things about them. They always worked together and seemed just alike. First I thought of doing something about how the car was built, but that wouldn't have anything beneficial to my final paper and sounded pretty boring to me. Thanks to Beth, she came up with the idea of writing about the rivals. So far all my research has been promising for this paper. I think I will be able to complete it without any problem.
Overall I think everything will turn out ok. I wish I would have picked a subject that was slightly broader, such as all the accomplishments working to make the plane. Then I could have talked about several people's work. I think my subject will turn out fine; it will just be a little more work looking for the details of everything.
Blog Review
Blog 8
I have come across another person's blog that I would recommend to others. The blog is called, "Matt's Today in History." The blog covers several different articles of important dates in history in a scattered order. Now you may wonder why I would recommend a blog that seems put together in a random order. Well, I read the post called "The Wright Brothers Take Flight, December 17, 1903" and saw all the information was all accurate. This post gives an overview of the Wright brother's lives. The article seems a decent length, just long enough to hit all the high points. It seems he wrote the main points in a very summarized way, which would be helpful to many other people. Not many people will necessarily need a long eight page paper covering every little detail about the Wrights, so I find that this short eight paragraph blog would be great for the average person looking to find a little information for their own knowledge.
The only thing I didn't agree with in this post was when Matt wrote, "at first glance, the Wright brothers don’t quite seem to be the inventor type" (paragraph 2). I wondered why he said that. I am aware it is his own opinion and it is also only my opinion to disagree. The reason I disagree is because of the information I learned about their childhood. They always were curious people. They always wanted to learn something new and thought they could do anything they put their mind to. Which I happen to think the same thing after realizing everything the brothers accomplished. Other than that statement, I believe this would be overall a nicely written post that could be beneficial to people who want a quick overview of the brothers lives.
Dattilo, Matt. Matt's Today in History. "The Wright Brother's Take Flight, December 17, 1903." 18 Dec. 2005. 11 March 2007. <http://mattstodayinhistory.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html>
I have come across another person's blog that I would recommend to others. The blog is called, "Matt's Today in History." The blog covers several different articles of important dates in history in a scattered order. Now you may wonder why I would recommend a blog that seems put together in a random order. Well, I read the post called "The Wright Brothers Take Flight, December 17, 1903" and saw all the information was all accurate. This post gives an overview of the Wright brother's lives. The article seems a decent length, just long enough to hit all the high points. It seems he wrote the main points in a very summarized way, which would be helpful to many other people. Not many people will necessarily need a long eight page paper covering every little detail about the Wrights, so I find that this short eight paragraph blog would be great for the average person looking to find a little information for their own knowledge.
The only thing I didn't agree with in this post was when Matt wrote, "at first glance, the Wright brothers don’t quite seem to be the inventor type" (paragraph 2). I wondered why he said that. I am aware it is his own opinion and it is also only my opinion to disagree. The reason I disagree is because of the information I learned about their childhood. They always were curious people. They always wanted to learn something new and thought they could do anything they put their mind to. Which I happen to think the same thing after realizing everything the brothers accomplished. Other than that statement, I believe this would be overall a nicely written post that could be beneficial to people who want a quick overview of the brothers lives.
Dattilo, Matt. Matt's Today in History. "The Wright Brother's Take Flight, December 17, 1903." 18 Dec. 2005. 11 March 2007. <http://mattstodayinhistory.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html>
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Peer Review
Blog 7: Peer Review of Important figures paper
During the peer review session I worked with Beth and Abby. First I explained to them that I had a hard time with the paper assignment since it was to be on the important figures. Since I am doing the paper solely on the Wright brothers, they are the important figures. But I needed more than them as a theme. I choose to focus on the Wright's accomplishments other than the plane. They read my paper and each had some helpful advice. Beth let me know that I was using too many quotes for a two page paper and that I was quoting things that didn't need quoted. She also told me not to number the works cited page and told me how to indent each line after the first one.
When Abby was looking over my paper she told me to better introduce the brothers at the beginning. She showed me a few places where commas were needed. She showed me a sentence that was too lengthy and worded awkwardly. She also told me how to indent the works cited page and to put <> before and after the website address.
I had a hard time reviewing Abby and Beth's paper. They seemed so perfect to me. I tried to correct a spelling mistake and came to realize Abby had spelled the word right. Although Abby had told us she had misunderstood the assignment, what she had written sounded great. Everything they wrote seemed like they spent a lot of time re-reading their papers to make sure they sounded perfect. I felt bad for not being able to help them more, so I apologized and told them everything sounded great and they already explained their mistakes they knew they had made to me.
During the peer review session I worked with Beth and Abby. First I explained to them that I had a hard time with the paper assignment since it was to be on the important figures. Since I am doing the paper solely on the Wright brothers, they are the important figures. But I needed more than them as a theme. I choose to focus on the Wright's accomplishments other than the plane. They read my paper and each had some helpful advice. Beth let me know that I was using too many quotes for a two page paper and that I was quoting things that didn't need quoted. She also told me not to number the works cited page and told me how to indent each line after the first one.
When Abby was looking over my paper she told me to better introduce the brothers at the beginning. She showed me a few places where commas were needed. She showed me a sentence that was too lengthy and worded awkwardly. She also told me how to indent the works cited page and to put <> before and after the website address.
I had a hard time reviewing Abby and Beth's paper. They seemed so perfect to me. I tried to correct a spelling mistake and came to realize Abby had spelled the word right. Although Abby had told us she had misunderstood the assignment, what she had written sounded great. Everything they wrote seemed like they spent a lot of time re-reading their papers to make sure they sounded perfect. I felt bad for not being able to help them more, so I apologized and told them everything sounded great and they already explained their mistakes they knew they had made to me.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Book Reveiws
Blog 6
One of the books that I have already cited was The American Aviation Experience by Tim Brady. I am using this book in my Intro to Aeronautics class. It is only in chapter 2, that the Wrights are spoken about, but this book I'm sure will be very helpful. In other chapters, it gives more information than you would ever want to know about people that influenced or worked with them. It briefly mentions some things about the Wright brother's growing up, but it mainly covers all of their work in aviation. This book will be a lot more helpful to me when I start talking about their findings in their studies and flight success. This book is great for the details I'm looking for, but I wouldn't recommend it to many people.
Another book I have already used is Aerospace: The Journey of Flight by Jeff Motgomery. I am also using this in my aeronautics class. This book also focuses on the brother's aviation work, so this one will also be more helpful later with my research. It gives general information about the brother's work. I like this book better than The American Aviation Experience because it's very straight forward. Although, I expect this book to be less helpful because The American Aviation Experience has much more information.
One of the books that I have already cited was The American Aviation Experience by Tim Brady. I am using this book in my Intro to Aeronautics class. It is only in chapter 2, that the Wrights are spoken about, but this book I'm sure will be very helpful. In other chapters, it gives more information than you would ever want to know about people that influenced or worked with them. It briefly mentions some things about the Wright brother's growing up, but it mainly covers all of their work in aviation. This book will be a lot more helpful to me when I start talking about their findings in their studies and flight success. This book is great for the details I'm looking for, but I wouldn't recommend it to many people.
Another book I have already used is Aerospace: The Journey of Flight by Jeff Motgomery. I am also using this in my aeronautics class. This book also focuses on the brother's aviation work, so this one will also be more helpful later with my research. It gives general information about the brother's work. I like this book better than The American Aviation Experience because it's very straight forward. Although, I expect this book to be less helpful because The American Aviation Experience has much more information.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Reflection
So far my project on the Wright Brothers has been going good. I have found a decent amount of work on them and am lucky that the work is very detailed as I put it together. I am going to be frustrated when i am working on my two page paper because I am having a hard time thinking of a theme. The brothers have done so much, so it's hard to pick one specific thing to elaborate on. Maybe I'll focus on the brother's life before their airplane accomplishments. I have learned so many extra details about the brothers accomplishments that they aren't as well known for, such as they were printers, writers, and bicycle mechanics. I also get a feel for their personalities while I am doing this project. They kept to themselves a lot because they were very fearful their ideas would be stolen. They also thought very highly of themselves, while others aerospace engineers didn't think twice about these unknown boys from Dayton. The brothers knew from day one that they would be accomplishing successful and controlled flight. They were also very hard workers that were independent in that they never cared for a wife. They also wanted to prove themselves to the world.
Overall my project so far seems to be well paced. I'm trying not to get too far ahead to their flight success yet because I need to have that to write about later. I assume that if I run into any troubles I can always ask for Dr. Netty's help. He is a very impressive professor that even wrote a chapter in The American Aviation Experience that I used in my last blog.
Also today I applied for Flight Technology, so I am now under the program. Yay!
Wilbur Wright
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Orville Wright
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Pictures found at http://www.wright-house.com/wright-brothers/Wrights.html
Overall my project so far seems to be well paced. I'm trying not to get too far ahead to their flight success yet because I need to have that to write about later. I assume that if I run into any troubles I can always ask for Dr. Netty's help. He is a very impressive professor that even wrote a chapter in The American Aviation Experience that I used in my last blog.
Also today I applied for Flight Technology, so I am now under the program. Yay!
Wilbur Wright
Orville Wright
Pictures found at http://www.wright-house.com/wright-brothers/Wrights.html
Wright's Research
"In September 1894, Wilbur read an article in McClure's magazine about Otto Lilienthal and his manned glider flights," (1) in Germany. He is one of the brother's first inspirations. Wilbur started to study birds in the wilderness.
By 1896 the newspapers were filled with many aeronautical experiments including aerostats (hot air or hydrogen balloons), dirigibles ("a lighter-than-air craft that can be propelled and steered" (3)), gliders, and ornithopters (a flying machine that used wings like a bird). Most of these stories were failures, but the Wright brothers used them as a learning experience of what not to do. Then on May 6, Dr. Samuel Pierpont Langley flew his "steam-powered Aerodrome No. 5 half a mile over the waters of the Potomac River" (1). Although this was too small to carry a person, it was something the brothers could learn from.
Unfortunately, Otto Lilienthal was killed in a glider crash soon after. This sparked the interest of the Wrights. The brothers, after arguing how this happened, finally came to the conclusion that Lilienthal "lack[ed the] understanding of lift...which became evident by the errors they [the brothers] soon discovered in his mathmatical findings," (1). It was also clear that you need control to fly successfully. It was this time that the brothers came up with the idea of twisting or helical twisting. After discussing this idea with Octave Chanute, a well known, accomplished engineer, the term became known as wing warping. This system "used a system of pulleys and cables to twist the trailing edges of the wings in opposite directions" (4).
1. Brady, Tim. The American Aviation Experience. IL: Southern Illinois Press. 2000.
2. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm
3. Motgomery, Jeff. Aerospace: The Journey of Flight. Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. 2000.
4. Wing Warping. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 3 Feb. 2007. 6 Feb. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_warping
By 1896 the newspapers were filled with many aeronautical experiments including aerostats (hot air or hydrogen balloons), dirigibles ("a lighter-than-air craft that can be propelled and steered" (3)), gliders, and ornithopters (a flying machine that used wings like a bird). Most of these stories were failures, but the Wright brothers used them as a learning experience of what not to do. Then on May 6, Dr. Samuel Pierpont Langley flew his "steam-powered Aerodrome No. 5 half a mile over the waters of the Potomac River" (1). Although this was too small to carry a person, it was something the brothers could learn from.
Unfortunately, Otto Lilienthal was killed in a glider crash soon after. This sparked the interest of the Wrights. The brothers, after arguing how this happened, finally came to the conclusion that Lilienthal "lack[ed the] understanding of lift...which became evident by the errors they [the brothers] soon discovered in his mathmatical findings," (1). It was also clear that you need control to fly successfully. It was this time that the brothers came up with the idea of twisting or helical twisting. After discussing this idea with Octave Chanute, a well known, accomplished engineer, the term became known as wing warping. This system "used a system of pulleys and cables to twist the trailing edges of the wings in opposite directions" (4).
1. Brady, Tim. The American Aviation Experience. IL: Southern Illinois Press. 2000.
2. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm
3. Motgomery, Jeff. Aerospace: The Journey of Flight. Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters. 2000.
4. Wing Warping. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 3 Feb. 2007. 6 Feb. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_warping
Sunday, February 4, 2007
The Beggining of Their Many Accomplishments
Unfortunately the Wright's mother died in 1889 of tuberculosis. This is when eighteen-year-old Orville decided to drop out of high school. He continued to work in the printing business for two summers. He eventually bought the whole business from Ed Sines, who became an employee of Wright Printing.
In "March 1889 Orville began to publish a weekly newspaper, The West Side News," (1). Wilbur then joined his brother in the business, first as a consultant and then as a writer and editor. The brothers then built another press that was "ingenious enough to attract the attention of other professional printers" (1). This business started out as a weekly and was successful enough to become a daily paper. Unfortunately they couldn't hold their success; after just four months they went back to the printing business. Shortly after they tried publishing again, but after three issues they went back to the printing business once again.
"In 1892" (1) the brothers bought safety bikes. These bikes were new with the two wheels of equal size. They joined a bicycle club which they would go "on long country rides, and did a little racing," (1). When their friends started having bicycle troubles they went to the brothers since they grew the reputation of being mechanics from the print shop. This led to them opening up a very successful bicycle shop where they did repairs and sold new bikes and accessories. Some years passes and the brothers realized that they could make better bikes than they were selling. Soon they were hand making bikes for costumer's specifications.
1. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm
In "March 1889 Orville began to publish a weekly newspaper, The West Side News," (1). Wilbur then joined his brother in the business, first as a consultant and then as a writer and editor. The brothers then built another press that was "ingenious enough to attract the attention of other professional printers" (1). This business started out as a weekly and was successful enough to become a daily paper. Unfortunately they couldn't hold their success; after just four months they went back to the printing business. Shortly after they tried publishing again, but after three issues they went back to the printing business once again.
"In 1892" (1) the brothers bought safety bikes. These bikes were new with the two wheels of equal size. They joined a bicycle club which they would go "on long country rides, and did a little racing," (1). When their friends started having bicycle troubles they went to the brothers since they grew the reputation of being mechanics from the print shop. This led to them opening up a very successful bicycle shop where they did repairs and sold new bikes and accessories. Some years passes and the brothers realized that they could make better bikes than they were selling. Soon they were hand making bikes for costumer's specifications.
1. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio. http://www.wright-brothers.org/History/Wright%20Story/wright%20story.htm
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Wright Brothers
I have decided to focus on the Wright Brothers for this project since they are fascinating to me. Their are so many accomplishments made in their lives, but they are most well-known as the two men who invented controlled and successful flight. I have began reading an article who describes in great detail anything and everything you will ever want to know about the Wright Brothers. First I'll explain a little about their younger years.
The Wright Brothers started out in an average family where they moved several times until they finally settled in Dayton, Ohio. Wilbur and Orville's int rest in flight came early to them when their father, a bishop in the United Brethren Church, brought home a toy helicopter. Their family always encouraged learning. Sometimes his family would even allow the boys to leave school early so they could "pursue their own intellectual int rests" (1). The family owned their own library where the kids would study anything they wanted. By age eleven, Orville was already making kites and selling them to friends.
Wilbur was planning on attending Yale, but because he and his mother beginning to develop health problems he decided not to. Luckily his health improved, but he felt that college "would be money and time wasted" (1). Since they were a close family they looked closely after their mother and read "voraciously" (1) in their spare time.
Orville decided to join his friend, Ed Sines, in the printing business. Orville, with the help of Wilbur, "designed and built a professional press from a damaged tombstone, buggy parts, and other recycled odds and ends," (1).
1. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio.
The Wright Brothers started out in an average family where they moved several times until they finally settled in Dayton, Ohio. Wilbur and Orville's int rest in flight came early to them when their father, a bishop in the United Brethren Church, brought home a toy helicopter. Their family always encouraged learning. Sometimes his family would even allow the boys to leave school early so they could "pursue their own intellectual int rests" (1). The family owned their own library where the kids would study anything they wanted. By age eleven, Orville was already making kites and selling them to friends.
Wilbur was planning on attending Yale, but because he and his mother beginning to develop health problems he decided not to. Luckily his health improved, but he felt that college "would be money and time wasted" (1). Since they were a close family they looked closely after their mother and read "voraciously" (1) in their spare time.
Orville decided to join his friend, Ed Sines, in the printing business. Orville, with the help of Wilbur, "designed and built a professional press from a damaged tombstone, buggy parts, and other recycled odds and ends," (1).
1. The Wright Story. 29 Jan. 2007. Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. of Dayton, Ohio.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Why Flight Technology?
I will be writing about flight technology for this project because it is the major I am most interested in. I had always dreamt about flying since i was a kid although the thought of being a pilot hadn't ever crossed my mind until the second time I had been on a plane. Every time I get on a plane it's such a thrilling experience. My favorite part is the lift off. I love the speed and finally feeling yourself rise into the air. It's almost like an extreme rollercoster then. Once you're in the air you don't even notice the movement anymore then you do in a car. In fact it is a much more comfortable ride. I also love looking out the window at everything below as we rise. I hate when it's cloudy because you can't see the ground once you're past the clouds. I remember coming back from Venice all I could see was the ocean. It's a pretty scary thought knowing that if anything goes wrong you can't even land! Although, it's very unlikely that serious things happen. I also love how fast you can travel. By getting my pilots licence I would love to own a jet and be able to fly anywhere whenever I wanted to. Getting paid to something that I would love seems perfect; Especially when it's a six figure salary. During this paper I may also want to explore some serious bad things about it which holds me back from my final decision. Overall this subject is in great interest and I would love to learn more about it.
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