Diving into the story, lessons, and greatness of  the Wright Brothers from David McCullough's Book: The Wright Brothers

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2:50 - Wilbur's Advice

Pick out a good father and mother, and begin life in Ohio

3:20 - Their Greatest Advantage

The greatest thing in our favor was growing up in a family where there was always much encouragement to intellectual curiosity.

4:40  - Wilbur's Turning Point


10:30 - No Excuses, No Problem

In no way did that discourage or deter Wilbur or Orville Wright, any more than the fact that they had no college education, no formal technical training, no experience working with anyone other than themselves, no friends in high places, no financial backers, no government subsidies. 

14:20 - On Unnecessary Risk

The man who wishes to keep at a problem long enough to really learn anything positively must not take dangerous risks. Carelessness and overconfidence are usually more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks.

23:40 - How long are you willing to wait?

It had taken four years. They had endured violent storms, accidents, one disappointment after another, public indifference or ridicule, and clouds of demon mosquitoes. To get to and from their remote sand dune testing ground they had made five round trips from Dayton, a total of seven thousand miles by train, all to fly little more than half a mile. No matter. They had done it.

27:35 - Patiently Persistence

The character trait that described the boys best is they were patiently persistent.


30:10 - On Achieving Flight

More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace, mingled with the excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive such a combination.

Two Final Notes

The best dividends on the labor invested have invariably come from seeking more knowledge rather than more power. 

A man who works for the immediate present and its immediate rewards is nothing but a fool 

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