Much is taken for granted in our society today. Modern technology is everywhere around us in computers, automobiles, cell phones, and supersonic jets. The amazing thing is these devices have been around for less than 120 years. One of the things that are taken for granted is air travel. Today a person can hop on a jet and be across the world in hours. Most everyone knows that Orville and Wilbur Wight are best known for inventing the first successful airplane. On December 17, 1903 the Wright brothers conducted the controlled flight of a power-driven airplane. Today the brothers are known as the “fathers of aviation” (Biography.com editors). Although both brothers were involved, this paper will discuss Orville Wright’s contributions to the United States.
The first flight was a great achievement, but it did not make a lot of headlines at the time because of skepticism. This reaction is what incited Orville to move their invention forward. Orville wanted the United States Government to have a monopoly on their patents. At first the United States military was not interested in the flying machine, but the French government was. The U.S. Aeronautical Division did become interested in the machine, but their demands were that the machines have a seat. The plane was revamped with a passenger seat and sold to the U.S. military for $30,000 (“Orville Wright.”).
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Orville Wright’s Contribution to the United States".
After the sale Orville received his fame and recognition. This initial sale brought a huge demand for the plane in both the United States and Europe. Orville’s first patent was granted in 1906 and the flying machine became known as the aeroplane. In 1909, the Wright Company was initiated. Orville became the Vice-President of the company that was headquartered in New York. In addition the company owned a factor in Dayton and a flying school in Huffman Prairie. The Congressional Medal was awarded to Orville and his brother in 1910 for their contributions to the flying machine. The Model B was soon introduced and it became the first commercial aircraft. After Orville’s brother death the company was sold in 1915 due to his lack of interest of the business part of the company. Most of his later life was spent on boards and committees relating to aeronautics (“Orville Wright.”).
Orville continued to work on the airplane to continue to improve it. Practical in-flight control of engine power soon became a reality. Later an angle of attack sensor and a stick pusher to reduce the workload of the pilot were implemented. This awakened the world to the new era of controlled flight. Orville was the first pilot to use a seat belt and introduced a rudder control that enabled the pilot to have more control and more authority. A flight simulator was introduced at the flying school in Huffman Prairie. All of these concepts were patented by Orville and many are still in use today (“Orville Wright.”).
One of the boards that Orville was a member of was the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Appointed by then President Woodrow Wilson in 1920, this committee was the forerunner to the National Aeronautical and Space Agency (NASA). Orville continued to contribute to this board as well as several others (“Orville Wright.”).
In conclusion, Orville Wright had the dare and adventure to successfully be the first person to fly. He accomplished something that we all take for granted now. He continued to improve on the airplane by having patents on rudder controls, angle of attach sensors, and a stick pusher. All of these devices made the airplane much easier to fly and control. Known as one of the fathers of aviation, some of Orville’s patents are still used today.
- Biography,com editors. “Orville Wright Biography.” The Biography.com website. 5 May 2015.
Web. 27 February 2017. - “Orville Wright.” 2017. The Famous People website. Feb 27 2017.
