Aviation

There are several factors that enabled Wilbur and Orville Wright, two high school dropouts, to produce a successful airplane controlled by a pilot. The Wright brothers were self-educated and very experienced with several types of technologies when they began their efforts to produce an airplane. Having worked as bicycle mechanics, they understood the importance of several technologies working together to create one particular design, as well as the significance of balance. The brothers worked well together, learning from past attempts at aviation, and drawing from other’s findings, in addition to discovering many of their own. One of the most distinct differences in their attempt from other aviators was that the brothers began by first learning to fly and control the airplane in glider form. This allowed them to get a feel for how aerodynamics and wind power play into the creation of a powered airplane. They were willing to take their design in small steps, working toward a fully powered plane, whereas, most aviators attempted to add power first. As accomplished pilots, they were able to better control the plane once an engine was added. The Wright’s were masters in using graphic mental imagery to understand structure and design. The ability to form visual pictures of how a piece should look and operate and then put that picture to physical hardware was a key point in their success.

Two prime examples of successful airplanes are the Spirit of St. Louis and the DC-3. On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in history. His accomplishment helped to reassure the pubic as to the reliability and safety of airplanes.