As they read scientific papers, they ran across an article on Lilienthal's glider experiments in Germany. So they got together all the information they could find about Lilienthal and his work - they investigated Chanute's experinents - and read about Langley. But the Wrights could never be satisfied just reading about these experiments - they had to try things for themselves. They didn't let the fact that Lilienthal and Pilcher had been killed - or that Chanute had quit after a careful study and many experiments in gliding - prevent them from going ahead. They wanted to fly! The Wright boys - in 1899 - began with a biplane kite equipped with wing controls. It is interesting to note that their first man-carrying kite cost them, in actual cash outlay, about $15.00. As the result of a letter to Chanute - and Weather Bureau reports - they decided to go to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, for their first experiments. You probably know the story from then on - how they made glider after glider - how they fought the weather - about their accidents and their inaccurate data. During the next two years, they visited Kitty Hawk with new wings, new controls - and collected fact after fact - until in 1902 they felt they had enough information to build a power machine. Then began another long year's experiments on engines; they found there was none in existance that met their requirements. |