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In
Their Own Words
 n May 30, 1899, Wilbur Wright sent the following letter to
the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC:
I have been interested in the problem of
mechanical and human flight ever since as a boy I constructed a number of bats of various
sizes after the style of
Cayley's and
Penaud's machines. My observations since have only
convinced me more firmly that human flight is possible and practicable. It is only a
question of knowledge and skill just as in all acrobatic feats. Birds are the most
perfectly trained gymnasts in the world and are specially well fitted for their work, and
it may be that man will never equal them, but no one who has watched a bird chasing an
insect or another bird can doubt that feats are performed which require three or four
times the effort required in ordinary flight. I believe that simple flight at least is
possible to man and that the experiments and investigations of a large number of
independent workers will result in the accumulation of information and knowledge and skill
which will finally lead to accomplished flight.
The works on the subject to which I have had
access are Marey's and Jamieson's books published by Appleton's and various magazine and
cyclopedic articles. I am about to begin a systematic study of the subject in preparation
for practical work to which I expect to devote what time I can spare from my regular
business. I wish to obtain such papers as the Smithsonian Institution has published on
this subject, and if possible a list of other works in print in the English language. I am
an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper
construction of a flying machine. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and
then if possible add my mite to help on the future worker who will attain final success. I
do not know the terms on which you send out your publications but if you will inform me of
the cost I will remit the price.
Assistant Secretary
Richard Rathbun answered
Wilbur on June 22, enclosing a list of publications including works by
Octave Chanute,
Samuel Langley, and
James Means. He also sent four pamphlets, including
Empire of the Air
by Louis-Pierre Mouillard,
The Problem of Flying and Practical Experiments in
Soaring by
Otto Lilienthal,
Story of Experiments in Mechanical Flight, by
Samuel Langley, and On Soaring Flight, by
E.C. Huffaker.
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The first page of Wilbur's letter to the Smithsonian
Institution.
The second page.
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