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Two pioneers, two paths: Santos Dumont's public flight and the Wright brothers' takeoff still divide opinions about who invented the airplane
The dispute over the invention of the airplane involves two central names: the Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont and the American brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Both flew in the early 20th century, but with different methods. This difference still fuels the debate about who really deserves the title of father of aviation.
Santos Dumont's historic flight
On October 23, 1906, Santos Dumont flew the 14-Bis at Bagatelle Field in Paris. The aircraft flew 60 meters at a height of about 2 meters.
The most important thing is that the flight was made without any external assistance to take off. Everything happened in front of an official commission from the Aeroclub de France and several witnesses. The feat was widely recorded and recognized internationally.
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The 14-Bis, nicknamed “Oiseau de Proie”, was a biplane with a bamboo and Japanese silk structure. It had a 50 horsepower Antoinette engine. Takeoff and landing were done without rails, catapults or any other aid. Its construction was simple but effective.
The Wright Brothers' Private Flight
Three years earlier, on December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers flew the Flyer at Kitty Hawk in the United States. The aircraft covered 37 meters in 12 seconds. But, unlike Santos Dumont, they used rails and a catapult to take off.
Furthermore, the Wrights' flight had no independent witnesses and was not publicized at the time. Recognition came only years later, when they made public demonstrations in Europe.
The Flyer was also a biplane, made of wood and fabric. Its engine had 12 horsepower. But the need for an external system for takeoff raises questions to this day.
What separates both pioneers
The main difference between the feats is in the way they were carried out. Santos Dumont made public flights, with autonomous takeoff and landing. The Wright brothers, on the other hand, carried out more closed tests, with the help of external equipment.
Another point is recognition. Santos Dumont's flight was approved by an official entity shortly after it was made. The Wright flights were only validated later, based on future presentations.
Even with different views, both left their mark on history. The debate continues, but records show that Santos Dumont flew first in a public, free and recognized way.
I think there were other inventors of the airplane, but it was also in secret. Oh, and no witnesses can attend this important event. It's difficult!
Yes, it was a prize for whoever made the heaviest-than-air flight. Remember that shortly before, Santos Dumondt created the lighter-than-air airship and flew the same distance around the Eiffel Tower.
The Americans were the parents of the air disaster, that's for sure!!!
The takeoff in the USA was patented, which is why the little brothers could not show the case in the media at the time, using a dynamic inertia ramp to take off. The 14 bis took off using the propellers, against the trade wind.
Orville Wright made the first flight with the Flyer III on June 23, 1905. On October 5, 1905, Wilbur Wright flew the plane for 39 minutes, covering 38,9 miles (XNUMX km).
Sure enough, right after his brother returned from the journey he made between Earth and the moon. They were also the first to set off for Mars and visit the moons of Jupiter and Saturn! All this using the Flyer III, with a 12 hp engine and a single gallon of gasoline.
Ah… spare me!
There is not a single piece of evidence of this that was shown at the time!
Precisely for this reason the armies of the USA, Mexico and France ridicule them and their pseudo flying weapon of war, to generate mass destruction.
All this mysterious evidence emerged after 1956, without a massive media campaign, in which they lied and claimed that the creators of the airplane and the automobile were, respectively, the brothers Wrong and Ford.
But Alberto Santos Dumont was so much bigger than the two deceitful bikers that he killed himself when he saw what the plane had become: WHAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WANTED IT TO BE… A WEAPON OF WAR!
Americans say what they want, but the first takeoff in history was made by Santos Dumont from Minas Gerais
Only a miner would call the wheels and suspension “Landing Gear”