Winged Brothers

“Fly high” was always a dream of man and considered flying freely in the air like birds as the symbol of freedom. The Wright brothers realized this dream. They designed and built the first successfully controlled flying machine in 1903. Oliver and Wilburn, the Wright brothers of America were granted the U.S patent for the flying machine on 22^nd May (this month) 1906. This was actually a glider that did not turn right or left. The wright brothers flew the first powered and controlled aircraft in 1903. That was the bicycle time craze in America and the Wright brothers started the ‘Wright cycle company’. In a way the cycle instilled more confidence in Wright brothers who thought that the pilot can balance an aeroplane as a cyclist balances his cycle.

A toy helicopter designed and made of paper, bamboo, cork and rubber band by a French aeronautical engineer Alphonse Penaul attracted the Wright brothers’ father and he promptly gave a gift of paper helicopter to his sons who played with it endlessly. In days, months and years to come, the paper helicopter inspired the Wright brothers who finally succeeded in instilling life into the paper helicopter.

The Wright brothers had only completed their high school education. Design and invention was their aim. They designed and built their own printing press. The Cycle Company and printing press helped the brothers to design and build wings and propellers and put more emphasis on powerful engines. The Wright brothers focused on developing a pilot controlled aircraft.

The brothers conducted extensive glider tests and developed their skills as pilots. To keep the weight of the aircraft low, the brothers used aluminium for engine. They encountered a lot of problems throughout but with determination, they overcame all those hurdles and succeeded in pursuing their goal to design an aircraft and to put it in the air to……..        

     “Fly high”