http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2013/03/air-and-space-curator-the-wright-brothers-were-most-definitely-the-first-in-flight/ A new Smithsonian blog covering scenes and sightings from the Smithsonian museums and beyond. Mon, 20 May 2013 19:14:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2013/03/air-and-space-curator-the-wright-brothers-were-most-definitely-the-first-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-10449 Simine Short Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:51:27 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/?p=35077#comment-10449 The "Who Flew First" debate still creates sensational headlines and this latest Whitehead claim makes fascinating reading. It is good to read Tom Crouch's fresh look at the facts. Having researched Octave Chanute for the past two decades I had much contact with the staff of the NASM, and Tom was always willing to share his unbiased knowledge or help me find an answer. As we all know, Chanute and his team developed the biplane glider that was flown successfully in 1896 and again in 1897. This 23-pound glider with its 16-foot wingspan was flown by experienced "pilots" as well as newcomers, but Chanute was not interested in applying an engine at that time. This glider became the starting point for many aeronautical pioneers, including the Wrights, and Chanute had always high regard for the brothers and firmly believed that they were the first to achieve sustained, controlled, powered flight. Chanute's biography "Locomotive to Aeromotive" was published in 2011. Thanks, Tom, for helping all of us! The “Who Flew First” debate still creates sensational headlines and this latest Whitehead claim makes fascinating reading. It is good to read Tom Crouch’s fresh look at the facts.
Having researched Octave Chanute for the past two decades I had much contact with the staff of the NASM, and Tom was always willing to share his unbiased knowledge or help me find an answer. As we all know, Chanute and his team developed the biplane glider that was flown successfully in 1896 and again in 1897. This 23-pound glider with its 16-foot wingspan was flown by experienced “pilots” as well as newcomers, but Chanute was not interested in applying an engine at that time. This glider became the starting point for many aeronautical pioneers, including the Wrights, and Chanute had always high regard for the brothers and firmly believed that they were the first to achieve sustained, controlled, powered flight.
Chanute’s biography “Locomotive to Aeromotive” was published in 2011.
Thanks, Tom, for helping all of us!

]]> http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2013/03/air-and-space-curator-the-wright-brothers-were-most-definitely-the-first-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-10439 Luciano Godoy Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:07:16 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/?p=35077#comment-10439 Why wasn't the Brazilian born inventor-hero Alberto Santos Dumont mentioned in this article? Is this article some sort of joke? Why wasn’t the Brazilian born inventor-hero Alberto Santos Dumont mentioned in this article? Is this article some sort of joke?

]]> http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/2013/03/air-and-space-curator-the-wright-brothers-were-most-definitely-the-first-in-flight/comment-page-1/#comment-10420 Rick Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:26:38 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/aroundthemall/?p=35077#comment-10420 Jane's was duped by Mr. Brown's website just as newspaper editors were in 1901 when they reprinted the original highly dubious article circulated by wire services. Mr. Brown's website completely fails to prove that Gustave Whitehead ever successfully flew any powered aircraft at any time. He has, however, demonstrated how easy it is to get silly and inaccurate claims widely disseminated by a gullible media. Jane’s was duped by Mr. Brown’s website just as newspaper editors were in 1901 when they reprinted the original highly dubious article circulated by wire services. Mr. Brown’s website completely fails to prove that Gustave Whitehead ever successfully flew any powered aircraft at any time. He has, however, demonstrated how easy it is to get silly and inaccurate claims widely disseminated by a gullible media.

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