The Wright Brothers' First Flight — Passage and Quiz
The Wright Brothers' First Flight
Firsthand Account: Orville Wright's Journal Entry
December 17, 1903: Today, we achieved what many thought impossible. The wind was cold and strong at Kill Devil Hills, but we were determined. At 10:35 a.m., I lay on the lower wing of our machine, started the engine, and felt the Flyer move forward. The bumpy takeoff lasted only 12 seconds, but in that moment, I knew we had changed the world. We made three more flights that day, with Wilbur's last one covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. Despite the freezing temperatures, I've never felt warmer with excitement.
Secondhand Account: Scientific American Article, January 1904
On December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers successfully conducted the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft. Their Wright Flyer, a wood and fabric biplane, made four flights that day. The longest lasted 59 seconds and covered a distance of 852 feet. This breakthrough came after years of research and experimentation by the brothers. Their achievement laid the foundation for modern aviation and marked the beginning of a new era in transportation technology.
Quiz
1. How does the focus of the firsthand account differ from the secondhand account?
2. What information is unique to the secondhand account?
3. Which aspect of the event is emphasized more in the firsthand account?
4. How does the secondhand account provide a different perspective on the event?
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