steven lubar - presentation for reading across rhode island on david mccullough's the wright...

CONNECTING WITH THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

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Connecting with the Wright Brothers

Who did they connect with?

How might we connect with them?

How might we connect with the book?

Who did they connect with?

Family

School

Work

Technical CommunityTechnical Community

Dayton Public Library

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.

TO THE SMITHSONIAN, 1900

Langley aerodrome

Otto Lilienthal glider

To Octave Chanute, 1900

“For some time I have been afflicted by the belief that flight is possible to man…”

Octave Chanute

Octave Chanute with Wright Brothers

Weather Bureau

Lifesaving crew at Kitty Hawk

Some of the Wright’s mechanics

Hart O. Berg, the Wrights' European

business agent, with Orville

Wright

Wright Brothers Flying School, Montgomery Alabama, 1910

How can we connect with them?

Learners

A story of hard work

Makers

Wind Tunnel (replica)

Businessmen

Nature

Heroes

How might we connect with the book?

An adventure story

A personality study

Family Story

A story of innovation

and the economy

Patent for Airplane

Research Opportunity

Visual Study

Flight!

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earthAnd danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirthOf sun-split clouds – and done a hundred thingsYou have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swungHigh in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flungMy eager craft through footless halls of air.Up, up the long, delirious, burning blueI’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy graceWhere never lark, or even eagle flew -And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trodThe high untrespassed sanctity of space,Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

—John Gillespie Magee's "High Flight,” 1941