1903 - Wright Brothers' First Flight - Research Paper Example

? 1903- Wright Brothers’ First Flight Task Introduction The Wright Brothers made history by becoming the first persons to pilot a self propelled aircraft in the sky. It was in1903 when they piloted their powered aircraft 20 feet above the earth surface at the beach located in North Carolina famous for frequent wind. Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could and That First Flight are critically analyzed relating with 1903 Wright Brothers First Flight. What do these sources reveal about the event? Source 1 Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could by John Noble Wilford reveals that the first flight attempt was estimated to have lasted12 seconds up the sky covering a distance of 120 feet (Wilford, 2003). The Wright brothers, described as shy and unmarried, made other three attempts and Wilbur broke a further record by making a flight that lasted 59 seconds covering a distance of 852 feet. Their parents were protestant bishops and became interested flight at an early age. They wanted to prove to the world that air transport can be possible. Wilford highlights how Wright brothers chose the beach, Kitty Haw, to be the proving ground of their efforts (Wilford, 2003). The beach had constant and persisting winds that assisted in adding lift to the craft; hence making it possible for the flight. They had made approximately 700 thriving flights at the beach using their gliders in 1902. At that time, automobile manufactures were unable to design and come up with a suitable engine that was light and powerful enough to lift the craft. Consequently, the brothers opted to deign their engine suitable to their need. During the lunching of the first power-driven airplane, the brothers explained the challenges they faced in controlling the plane. Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could states that the weather was favorable since it was windy, that assisted in lifting the craft into the sky. Wilbur got into the craft at 10:35 in the morning, after testing and conforming that all the devices were in effective form (Wilford, 2003). Source 2 That First Flight That First Flight by The New York Times talks about the achievement of two bicycles’ manufactures from Dayton. Wilbur and Orville made history by flying a heavy aircraft into the air four consecutive times prolifically. Primarily, they had studied how gliders worked and experimented with them before attempting the self propelled aircraft. That First Flight accepts the fact the Wright brothers’ inventory would have been discovered by another person. But what makes their discovery unique is that it happened at an earlier than expected (The New York Times, 2003). The skill of concocting the right combination of equilibrium, and impulsion of an aircraft up the sky was an exceptional idea that improved the structuring of controllable planes. That First Flight states that the idea behind practicing with gliders years before 1903 was because man did not want to invent a flying machine, but a flying man. Consequently, in their attempt to come with the self propelled air craft, the basic idea was how the machine could be controlled by man. Interestingly, the flights attempts were affected by man rather than the machine itself. Wright brothers had to learn ways of flying their craft aptly to achieve their goal. The article argues that the principles used initially by the Wright bothers are still important and used currently by the modern airplanes. The act of aircraft flying in the sky is something marvelous despite the fact that it is now exceptionally common. I agree with the author of the article since individuals in the society still wonder how a machine heavier than air flies in the sky comfortably at high speed (The New York Times, 2003). Do they add to or alter what you previously knew about this event from the textbook and lectures? That First Flight and Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could adds information from what I had learnt earlier from the textbook and lectures. The information that has been added to my knowledge is that the craft experienced mechanical default causing the flight to only last approximately 12 seconds. After being repaired, Orville attempted the second flight that experienced mechanical setback, and lasted the same time. The third trial was made by Wilbur after the machine was rectified by the station men who were in attendance. A strong gust made the flight short since it interfered with left wing that sidled the machine down. Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could and That First Flight add information from what I had learnt earlier from the textbook and lectures is that the aircraft had made a height of probably 12 to 14 feet. Orville made the last attempt that was at 12 o’clock at noon. He was able to control the planes and travelled 800 feet breaking the initial record. The facade rudder casing of the aircraft was seriously damaged after the historical attempt of the Wright brothers. For every successful event, there are always challenges individuals have to overcome. Controlling and managing the front rudder was a challenge Wilbur encountered during the flight. Both the brothers were eager to be the foremost in piloting the self propelled aircraft (The New York Times, 2003). Alter your understanding of it? In altering my understanding, I think Orville and Wilbur were ahead of time despite the nature dragging them behind; they managed to overcome the challenge and invent the appropriate engine for the flight. Fortunately, all their practices, hard work and innovation resulted to the historic achievement in December 1903, when they took to the sky. The scenario changed the historic course since it proved that air transport could be utilized. It is established that the brothers had informed innumerable media houses, but, unfortunately, only one mentioned the achievement. I think that all the brothers could have given equal credits, since the aircraft only allowed a single person to be in command of it. The brothers had given all their best, and I believe each impelled equal efforts to make the event successful. Consequently, the credit should be shared equally. In altering my understanding, Gliders were the first inventory of the Wright brothers. It used to be pushed and gain momentum in the air. Later, they perfected the gliders with powered engine that acted as the power the craft to move and maintain it in the air. It is true that challenges can lead to the demise of an individual, for example, Mr. Daniel almost lost his life when a sudden wind overturned the machine after the historical event of flying the first engine powered machine. The day was flawed when the machine was completely damaged as it overturned many times, making the individuals start again despite trickiness of making it. Pay attention to who wrote the source, and for whom. How does the source reflect the assumptions of its author and its era? That First Flight and Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could are written to individuals engrossed in knowing American successful inventors who changed the world through their findings. The individuals have an interest of knowing what happened at the time the historical innovation was launched. The curiosity makes the readers of the article get interested to the content and information of the article. The source reflects to the assumptions of its author. The sources reflect to the assumptions of their authors by Does it display any particular perspective or bias? Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could and That First Flight’s particular perspective on the Wright brothers is that they are legends who modified and upgraded the air transport. They made the self propelled plane possible, and this solved the persisting challenge that a scientist at that period perceived as magic. The source depicts the Wright brother as grand and exultant individuals in the historical inventory of planes. Orville and Wilbur are seen as hardworking since they never gave up despite the innumerable challenges they faced on the way. They continued making several attempts and experiments that finally bore fruits and build the foundation for constructing self propelled airplanes. Conclusion The discussed areas from the two articles are whether they add information to me and display any particular perspective. The inventory of the Wright brothers happened earlier hence making it a unique and exceptional one. References The New York Times. (2003). That First Flight. Retrieved on April 17, 2012 from Wilford, J., N. (2003). Earliest Days; Takeoff! How the Wright Brothers Did What No One Else Could. The New York Times. Retrieved on April 17, 2012 from Read More