The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design

A scientific publication written in the early 1970s. This work is part of the Smithsonian Annals of Flight and focuses on the pioneering engines crafted by Wilbur and Orville Wright during the early 20th century. The book delves into the engineering accomplishments of the Wright brothers, examining their innovative designs and the technical challenges they faced as they strove to achieve powered flight. At the start of the text, Hobbs establishes the historical significance and context of the Wright brothers' endeavor in aircraft engine development, portraying them as both visionaries and skilled engineers. The opening details the origins of their interests in flight and the initial steps they took in creating their own power units for their flying machines. By exploring their design processes, Hobbs introduces readers to the complexities that accompanied their projects, illustrating how the Wrights transitioned from theoretical considerations to practical engineering solutions, thus laying the groundwork for the evolution of aviation technology.