The Write Brothers

            Orville Write was born on August 19, 1871, and died on January 30, 1948; he lived to be 77 years old, which in this time was a fair amount of age. However, Orville’s brother did not have the same luck; he was born on April 16, 1871 and was deceased on May 30, 1912. The boys both lived in Dayton, Ohio where Orville was born while Wilbur was born in Millville, Indiana.

            The Write brother’s father Milton Write ran a journal called the ‘Religious Telescope.’ The Write brother’s often helped with their father’s journal. Over time the Write brother’s created their own paper called the West Side News. A former colleague of Orville Write’s, Paul L. Dunbar, showed interest in this paper.  The brothers also printed Paul’s paper the ‘Dayton Tattler.’ During this time the Brothers placed their personal interests into the world wide spread of the bicycle. The huge sensation sparked something in the brother’s minds. In result they opened up a bike repair shop and eventually started to manufacture brands of bikes of their own. This gave the brothers knowledge in mechanics for the future.

            In August 1896 the death of Otto Lilienthal stimulated the Write Brothers study in aeromechanics. The invention of the combustion engine made it available to create and fly a heavier than air machine. The brother’s decided that instead of using the pilot’s body to control the planes they figured out that they could use the wings.

History of the Airplane

Studies in aeromechanics date back to the 15th century when Leonardo Da Vinci designed one of the first air craft devices. Continuing through the ages people tried and failed at the study of flying machines. Until the 19th century where the Write brother’s, Orville and Wilbur, succeeded in inventing the first successful heavier than air, flying machine. The actual date of this achievement was December 17, 1903, and a biplane was used to complete the flight. The flight lasted approximately 59 seconds and all other flights after that lasted up to half an hour.