A collection of old articles about the Wright brothers:
The Wright brothers and their planes. Old articles 1903 - 1908.The flights from Dec. 17, 1903 are not supported by evidence.
1) There is the declaration of Alpheus W. Drinkwater who said the Wright Brothers had only glided that day.
2) There also exists a well known picture which once magnified reveals (see the image) not so well known details like the visible slope in front of the flyer. Even admitting the photo was taken on Dec. 17, 1903, also it was published for the first time in September 1908, this can not be considered a true powered flight, as long as gravitation towed the apparatus with a considerable force.
- Detail from the well known picture showing "Flyer I 1903" taking off on Dec. 17, 1903. The slope going down in front of the plane is clearly visible.
- Dec-17-1903-Flyer1TakingOffFirstFlight120Feet.jpg (217.62 KiB) Viewed 3304 times
- The declaration of Alpheus W. Drinkwater: "the brothers only “glided” off Kill Devil Hill that day. Their first real flight came on May 6, 1908".
- Alpheus Drinkwater - The Wright Brothers did not fly in 1903 - Small.jpg (218.07 KiB) Viewed 3304 times