Take a second look at the myths behind the invention of the first “flying machine” at a discussion about “Wright Brothers, Wrong Story: How Wilbur Wright Solved the Problem of Manned Flight,” on Monday, March 25, 6:00 pm, at the Danville Public Library, 512 S. Market Street, Danville.
Author William Hazelgrove questions how could two misanthropic brothers who never left home, were high-school dropouts, and made a living as bicycle mechanics, have figured out the secret of manned flight?
This new history of the Wright brothers’ monumental accomplishment focuses on their early years of trial and error at Kitty Hawk (1900-1903) and Orville Wright’s epic fight with the Smithsonian Institute and Glenn Curtis. Hazelgrove makes a convincing case that it was Wilbur Wright who designed the first successful airplane, not Orville. He shows that, while Orville’s role was important, he generally followed his brother’s lead and assisted with the mechanical details to make Wilbur’s vision a reality.
Combing through original archives and family letters, Hazelgrove reveals the differences in the brothers’ personalities and abilities. He examines how the Wright brothers myth was born when Wilbur Wright died early and left his brother to write their history with personal friend John Kelly.
Hazelgrove’s richly researched and well-told tale of the Wright brothers’ landmark achievement, illustrated with rare historical photos, captures the excitement of the times at the start of the “American century.”
The program is open to the public and will be led by Darryl Jewel and Rose Sebouhan. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call the Danville Public Library at 740-599-2665 (BOOK), visit www.knox.net or email communityrelations@knox.net.