The Wright stuff
Orville and Wilbur Wright, two unprententious and resourceful brothers from Dayton, Ohio, stand as quintessential examples of American drive and ingenuity. Although the Wright brothers' invention of the airplane is one of the greatest technological achievements of the twentieth century, their compelling personal story of genius, sacrifice, and dogged determination has rarely been told. In 1903, on the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur first demonstrated that powered flight in a controlled airplane was possible. But they didn't promote their accomplishments at first, waiting to do so until they had solved some remaining problems and protected their secrets. When they did execute a perfect public flight outside Paris in 1908, the Wrights became immediate celebrities. People were as fascinated by the secretive and modest brothers, who didn't drink or smoke and who refused to fly on Sundays, as they were with their incredible machine. This video gathers archival photos, historical film footage and home movies, the recollections of family members, and expert commentary to trace the story of two ordinary mechanics, working alone, who transformed and shaped the lives we live today
VHS Video, English, ©1996
WGBH Educational Foundation, S. Burlington, VT, ©1996