Wright Brothers History

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The Wright Brothers As an up and coming journalist for my hometown paper, the Dayton Daily, I was thrilled to learn that my first major article would be on none other than Dayton’s very own Wilbur and Orville Wright. The year was 1896 and the Daily wanted me to write an article on the brother’s bicycle shop, The Wright Cycle Shop, which was gaining popularity among the locals. Although I was excited about being given my first assignment, I couldn’t help but feel a little disinterested in the subject. I mean, bicycles had been popular for some time now and there were already scores of publications and articles on the two wheeled wonders. I didn’t want to write a same old song and dance article. I had ambition, talent, and drive. I wanted to write an article on something that would change the world, something people knew very little about, something inspiring. Although I couldn’t wait to make a name for myself, I decided to put my dreams of grandeur at bay and focus on doing a great job on my first assignment. When I met the two brothers, originally from Indiana, they were pleased at the idea that their cycle business would be the subject of attention for a newspaper article and they agreed to divulge any information that would help me write the piece. As the day went along I remember asking the brothers if they believed they would stay in the bicycle industry for the remainder of their foreseeable future and Wilbur’s answer is what introduced me to the brothers’ true passion. It was only a few words but at the time I couldn’t help but thinking how radical and ridiculous it sounded, “We want to fly.” I could scarcely believe it but I was intrigued so I pressed them for more information. They began to tell me about their following of Otto Lilienthal record setting glides in Germany and their intrigue in the subject of flight. Skepticism filled my head but as a journalist, I knew that this was practically uncharted territory and if the brothers were to make strives in manned flight, I could possibly be in on the ground floor. I simply couldn’t pass up this opportunity so I talked the brothers into letting me check in with them from time to time in order to keep me up to date on their progress.

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