Resource Unit:

Wright Brothers

Jack BurtonRob Mitchell

IntroductionThe story of the Wright Brothers is the consummate American story. Two sons of a clergyman, from an average, mid-western American city, using Yankee ingenuity and determination, would change the world by accomplishing a feat that had eluded others who were better known, more experienced, and better financed. The Wrights were not the first men to fly; people had been going aloft for hundreds of years using balloons and gliders. What they actually accomplished was controlled flight using a form of self-propulsion.

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Learning about the Wright Brothers accomplishment entails much more than knowing details of the event that took place on that world-changing day in 1903, at Kill Devil Hill in North Carolina. It is important to recognize the other players in the game, the factors that made the Wrights successful where others had failed, and the astounding effects of their invention on local, national, and international history and development. The road to invention was not a smooth one for the brothers, and they would face their toughest challenges after the event, in the form of challenges to the authenticity of their work by some of their peers, a long patent fight, and denial of recognition of their feat for many years.

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The names of Langley, Chanute, Lilienthal, Curtiss, Phillips, and Santos-Dumont are legendary in aviation circles. These men, as well as their family and friends (including Paul Laurence Dunbar), all had roles to play in the lives of the two brothers, both positive and negative. The Wrights, themselves, were two completely different personalities, although history leads us to believe that they were of one mind. One (Orville), was energetic, with a passion for life and accomplishing the impossible, while the other (Wilbur), was sickly, more introverted, and less driven.

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The story has many facets, some of which we hope to cover in this two-week lesson. It is hoped that the students will come out of this with a new respect for the Wrights, an understanding of their vision and accomplishments, and a better knowledge of the local people and places that played a part in this all-American story.

VocabularyEvolution HistoryDevelopmentFlightFlying AirplaneSir George CayleyWhirling WindGunpowder EngineOrnithopterGliderWright BrothersWilbur, OrvillePowered Flight Alberto Santos Dumont

 

CartierOtto LilienthalFlapping WingSamuel CodyKiteSimulationFlight SimExperimentBicycle balanceWind TunnelLift balanceDrift balanceAerofoilAirfoilAileron

   

Bernoulli effectHow planes flySupersonic Taxi ThrottleTurbulence  FuselageGround speed  InclinometerJet propulsion PayloadRudder Runway Spin

Objectives

1.     Identify the Wright Brothers family, friends, history, and local connections.

2.     Explain the processes and techniques used by the Wright Brothers.

3.     Summarize the basic concept differences between the Wright Brothers and their competition.

4.     Recognize the early pioneers of flight and illustrate the different concepts that each followed in his quest for flight.

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5.Relate the development of flight to early military application and in particular, it’s uses and effects in the first World War.

6. Be able to discuss the effect of the Wright Brothers on the Dayton area in terms of technology, jobs, and historical aspects.

7. Identify wing warping, elevator and rudder control, and their relationship to the problems of pitch, roll, and yaw.

8. Recognize and relate the history and development of the wind tunnel.

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9. Explain the reasons behind the patent suit instigated by the Wright Brothers.

10. Discuss the development of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

11. Become familiar with local sights and establishments connected to The Wrights and their legacy (Huffman Prairie, Carrillon Park, the Wright Brothers Memorial, Air force Museum, etc.).

12. Be able to explain in detail the importance that the aviation industry played in American history throughout the twentieth century.

ActivitiesBased upon the fact that this class is comprised of only 12 AP American Studies students, these students will be afforded the opportunity to participate in curriculum that is entirely web based. During the upcoming semester we will cover 10 complete units each encompassing a multitude of historical American significance. Because this class is entirely web based all class meetings will take place in the learning center located in the rear of the library. When additional class space is required, the library has given us permission to utilize the workstations ordinarily reserved for quiet study. I have compiled a list of resources that will assist you in your research efforts. You may use any of the sites as well any others to compile the required data. 

Unit one will commence with the study of the Wright Brothers and their impact on aviation in the United States.

ActivitiesActivities #1 and #2 Monday-ThursdayTo complete this assignment you will need to pair up with a partner and commence researching information about the Wright Brothers. You will need to find a minimum of one hundred facts about the Wright Brothers before you can successfully proceed to the second phase of this project. Upon the successful completion of your data collection efforts you will need to prepare a report detailing your specific findings. Your reports are due at the beginning of class on Friday. You and your partner will have four class periods to work on and complete this assignment. Anything that cannot be completed in the allotted class time must be done as homework.

Activity #3 Friday, MondayTo complete this activity each student will need to bring in a magazines and a poster board, as this assignment requires each team to create a collage and diagram depicting the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers in general aviation. You will have access to markers, glue, colored pencils, and scissors. Your completed collage and diagram will be due at the end of class on Monday.

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Activity #4- TuesdayTo complete this assignment you will need to prepare a brief five-minute summary of the research your team collected the previous week. Your summary should also include a brief explanation of your collage and diagram. You will present your findings to the class. Any summaries not discussed on Tuesday will be presented during the following class period. Because this is the first time that we have done this as a class here are a few helpful hints to get you started.

1. Use your notes and choose your best ten facts to prepare your "Did You Know Report."

2. Always use a word processing program to write your report. 3. Plan and prepare your visual aid. 4. Practice with your partner, your presentation of your "Did You Know

Report." 5. Present your report to your classmates completing a self-evaluation

form.

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Activity #5 - WednesdayFor this assignment you will need to return to their individuals terminals and watch a series of streaming videos and commentary about the Wright Brothers and their accomplishments. As part of your assignment you will need to write a 500-word essay explaining why or why not you feel the Wright Brothers accomplishments have impacted American society. This assignment will be due at the beginning of class on Thursday.

Activity #6 - Thursday On Thursday December 5th we are scheduled to have a guest speaker from Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Col. Thomas Robbins, the Deputy Wing Commander for Wright Patterson has agreed to come and speak to you about aviation, and the many benefits that have derived from air travel. Your only assignment is to participate in the class discussions created by Mr. Robbins comments.

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Activity #7 - Friday  The first fifteen minutes of class on Friday will be dedicated to a re-cap of the discussion that took place during the previous class period. Your only assignment is to contribute to the class discussion. The remainder of the class period will be spent watching a PBS broadcast entitled The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. Your only homework assignment is to begin studying for the test that will be administered on Tuesday. If you have any questions or concerns remember to write them down and bring them to class with you on Monday.

Activity #8 - MondayThis class period is dedicated to a recap of the previous two weeks lessons. Any questions or concerns will be addressed at this time. Students may seek assistance from the teacher and classmates. Students will receive background information of the tests length, format, and expectations. Any student that does not feel as though he or she has adequately grasped a concept may come in at lunch or after school and we will address your concerns. Your only homework assignment is to study for the test. Remember to bring in a functioning number two pencil and several sheets of loose-leaf notebook paper. Good luck, and study hard.

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Activity #9 - TuesdayTest day, each student will be administered an examination covering the previous two weeks lessons. The students will have the entire period to complete the examination. Remember to budget your time wisely as you will only this class period to complete the test. The test itself is not top be written on, any one that writes on the tests will be docked 10% for failing to follow directions. All non-essay answers are to be placed on the answer sheet. For the essay questions you are to write your responses on notebook paper. Attach your essay responses to your completed

test and turn both in by the end of the period.

Activity #10 - WednesdayOn Wednesday you will have substitute teacher. Your assignment is to begin defining the terms for our next unit. You will find a copy of these terms in your e-mail. We will discuss these terms on Friday.

Evaluation-Unit test-

Wright Brothers Multiple-choice Part A.1. The difference between the Wright Brothers and other people who were

trying to invent an air flying machine was that the Wright Brothers understood the importance of the ________.

a.Shape of the wings c. Weight of the wing material b. Length of the wings d. Height of the wing itself 2. The biggest problem the Wright Brothers and other early pioneers faced in the

development of early aircraft was _______.a. Financing their research c. Having a place to test their ideasb. Finding a combination that would work d. Theft of ideas by other inventors3. When testing for durability and reliability the Wright Brothers thought it best to

test their creations in a________.a. Research lab c. Out buildingB Wind Tunnel d. field near their home 4. The Wright Brothers did not receive the accolades that many inventors would

receive for a revolutionary discovery, the reason for this is because ________?a.They were unknown c.They were bike mechanics

b.They had never patented any prior work d. They had failed in the past

Evaluation-Unit test-Wright Brothers

5. The Wright Brothers developed the first plane that was used by the United States Army. The Army specified that the plane had to be able to ____________________.

a.       Fly 80 MPH and stay aloft for 2 hrs. c. Fly 40 MPH and stay aloft for one hr.

b.      Fly 120 MPH and stay aloft for 1.5 hrs d. Fly 60 MPH and stay aloft for 1.5 hrs.

Short Answer

Provide brief explanations to the questions listed below:

1. Describe how the wing of an airplane creates lift. 2. Why would the Wright Brothers want to test new equipment

prior to instillation?  3. Why would the United States government intervene in the

stalemate that resulted when large companies stole many of the Wright Brothers patented inventions? What incident provoked this response?

Evaluation-Unit test-Wright Brothers

Match the word in column A with description from column B.A. B.___ 1. Glenn Curtiss A. Founder of the American Aviation Industry___ 2. Birthplace of Aviation B. Dayton, Ohio___ 3. Kite C. Kittyhawk, North Carolina___ 4. US Coast Guard D. First aircraft produced by Wright Brothers___ 5. Fuselage E. Developed as a flying mechanism___ 6. The Wright Brothers F. Provided assistance to the Wright Brothers___ 7. Drag G. The Wright Brothers___ 8. Drift H. The body of a plane___ 9. Airfoil I. Instrument showing if plane up or down___ 10. Aileron J. Lever controlling the flow of fuel to engine

K. Angling of plane caused by crosswind L. A surface shaped to produce lift.

M. Hinged flange on trailing edge of the wing for raising or lowering the wing in flight.

Evaluation-Unit test-Wright Brothers

EssayWrite a brief essay one of the following topics: A.) Explain the role the Wright Brothers have played in the development of the Aviation industry. Identify specific instances or industries that have prospered as direct result of the Wright Brothers invention.B.) Assume you are a major corporation with aspirations of developing an aircraft. Unfortunately for your company another much smaller company has developed this technology first. What might you do to acquire this technology? How would this effect product development in the future?C.) Identify and explain the factors that contributed to the Wright Brothers not receiving the immediate credit and fame for developing the first flying plane.

Evaluation-Unit test-Wright Brothers

BonusExplain what is meant by the phrase:

“Secrets of Flight”

Instructional Resources

-Teacher References

Wright Brothers1. Jakab, Peter L. Visions of a Flying Machine: The Wright Brothers and the Process of Invention. Smithsonian Institution Press,1990.

This text provides an in depth explanation as to how the Wright Brothers developed the first flying aircraft. The book provides detailed information and explanation as to how a plane is able to obtain lift and fly. You will find an enormous amount of explanatory terminology within this text. Teachers will find this text very useful when trying to explain the process of flight.2. Jakab, Peter L., Wright, Wilber., Wright, Orville., Young, Rick. The Published Writings of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Smithsonian Institution Press, 2000.

This heavily autobiographical book explains in detail how Wilbur and Orville Wright developed the first flying aircraft. The text explains in great detail the particulars of the Wright Brothers creation. Great for seeking in depth, detailed information.

Instructional Resources-Teacher References

3. Culick, Fred EC., Dunmore, Spencer. On Great Wings: The Wright Brothers and the Race for Flight. Italy: Hyperion/Madison Press Book, 2001.

This text paints an in depth portrait of the trials and tribulations that the Wright Brothers faced as they embarked upon history. The book describes how bicycle inventors single handedly transformed the world. Text provides an accurate look at the daily lives of the Wright Brothers and how they were able to achieve their goals.

4. Crouch, Tom. The Bishop Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright. New York/London: W.W. Norton, 1989.

This book concentrates on the lives or Wilbur and Orville Wright. Text pays a great of time explaining the Wright Brothers background, childhood, etc. This book is an excellent reference for teachers looking

for specific background information on the Wright Brothers.

Student References:-Hyper linked for instant student

access- 1. http://www.first-to-fly.com/

Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation- site contains detailed information on all of the Wright Brothers Aircraft.2. http://firstflight.open.ac.uk/

The first flight website takes an in depth look at the inventions and experiments that the Wright Brothers conducted during their careers.3. www.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/

The Wright Brothers National Memorial website contains information on the Wright Brothers historical flight as well as information on the original Wright Flier.4. www.firstflight.org/

The first flight society web site details the obstacles the Wright Brothers had to overcome to achieve their dream of flight.5. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wright/

This website contains schedules and archives detailing many of the

Wright Brothers achievements.

Student References: -Hyper linked for instant student access- Page 2

6. http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/wright_brothers/dmc.htmlThe Wright State University website contains hundreds of rare Wright

Brothers photographs. Students can spend entire class periods researching one of the Wright Brothers many airplane designs.7. http://www2.faa.gov/education/wright/wright.htm

The Federal Aviation administration serves as the benchmark of the American Air Industry. The site contains numerous links to other site if you are unable to locate your subject matter from the FAA website.8. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/1903.htm

The Centennial of Flight Commission website is dedicated to preserving and recognizing a Century of American flight.9. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/preww1/pw3.htm

The WPAFB website details the history of flight from 1903 to the present. 10. http://www.inventingflight.com/invention/wright_brothers.php

This website provided by the Dayton Daily news provides extensive information of the Wright Brothers as well as detailed information on the upcoming Centennial of Flight celebration that is to take place in 2003. This website is excellent source for reference material.

Student References: -Hyper linked for instant student access- Page 3

11. http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/wright/The NASA site contains numerous links to information sites. By accessing this site

you can monitor the progress of the Wright B Flier that is currently under construction. 12. http://www.b-link.co.uk/ckn/inventors/wright_brothers.htm

This website contains background information on some of America’s most influential inventors. 13.http://invention.psychology.msstate.edu/i/Wrights/Wright_photos.html

This website contains more then three hundred rare glass plate photographs.

14. http://www.aero-web.org/history/wright/wriframe.htmThis website contains valuable information about the specific details of the earliest

American flight.

15. http://www.glennhcurtiss.com/id19.htmThe Glenn Curtis website is virtual tour throughout aviation history. The site

contains historical data, copies of original signed aviation patents etc.

Student Media References

1. Wright Brothers Photography CD-ROMPhotographs taken by Wilbur or Orville Wright between 1896 and 1911, archived on CD-ROM. The photos document their successes and failures with their new flying machines.paperlessarchives.com

2. The Wright Brothers Photographs: Kill Devil Hills - Kitty Hawk, ... Kitty Hawk - Kill Devil Hills Wright Brothers Photographs 1900-1911. Library of Congress. Camp at Kitty Hawk, 1900.LC-USZ62-65018; ...Description: Wright Brothers pages with actual photos of the brothers and Kitty Hawkwww.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/wrightlc.htm 

3. http://www.wrightflyer.org/Movies/index.htmlQuick time movie

4. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wright/Quick time movie

5. http://www.centennialofflight.gov/links.htmMaps of the Wright Brothers first historic flight.

Student Media References

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6. http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/peanuts-wright-brothers-at-kitty-hawk.html

Movies include: details of first flights, as well as information that can be used in the next unit on the construction of the transcontinental railroad.

7. http://www.glennhcurtiss.com/id19.htmVirtual tour of historic letters, documents, and historical aviation exhibits. 8. http://www.first-to-fly.com/Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation- site

contains detailed information on all of the Wright Brothers Aircraft. 9. Wright brothers: Wilbur and Orville WrightA brief biography of the Wright brothers: Wilbur and Orville Wright, inventors of

the airplane; photographs. A brief biography of the Wright brothers; includes links to articles prepared by the brothers describing...www.wam.umd.edu/~stwright/WrBr/Wrights.html 

10. http://firstflight.open.ac.uk/The first flight website takes an in depth look at the inventions and experiments

that the Wright Brothers conducted during their careers.

Student Media References

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11. www.outerbanks.com/wrightbrothers/The Wright Brothers National Memorial website contains information on the Wright

Brothers historical flight as well as information on the original Wright Flier.12. www.firstflight.org/The first flight society web site details the obstacles the Wright Brothers had to

overcome to achieve their dream of flight.13. THE FIRST FLIGHT At North Carolina's Kill Devil Hill, two unassuming brothers from Dayton succeed

where so many others before them had failed. Lying on a glider-like craft, Orville Wright makes the first heavier-than-air powered flight in history. From takeoff to landing, the Wright Flyer soars some 800 feet across the windswept dunes-VHS videocassette. (Socialstudies.com 2002 Website: $ 99.95) 

14. THE WRIGHT BROTHERS Highlights: dreams of human flight in the 19th century, the Wrights’ success built

upon exhaustive research with kites and gliders, the brothers as self-taught scientists-VHS videocassette, guide. (Socialstudies.com 2002 Website: $39.95)

15. http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/wright_brothers/dmc.htmlThe Wright State University website contains hundreds of rare Wright Brothers

photographs. Students can spend entire class periods researching one of the Wright Brothers many airplane designs.

Student Media References

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16. http://www.inventingflight.com/invention/wright_brothers.phpThis website provided by the Dayton Daily news provides extensive information

of the Wright Brothers as well as detailed information on the upcoming Centennial of Flight celebration that is to take place in 2003. This website is excellent source for reference material.

 17. http://www.glennhcurtiss.com/id19.htmThe Glenn Curtis website is virtual tour throughout aviation history. The site

contains historical data, copies of original signed aviation patents etc. 18. http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/wright/The NASA site contains numerous links to information sites. By accessing this

site you can monitor the progress of the Wright B Flier that is currently under construction.

 19. http://www.inventingflight.com/invention/wright_brothers.phpThis website provided by the Dayton Daily news provides extensive information

of the Wright Brothers as well as detailed information on the upcoming Centennial of Flight celebration that is to take place in 2003. This website is excellent source for reference material.

 20. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wright/This website contains schedules and archives detailing many of the Wright

Brothers achievements.