Air travel in the 21st century is a mode of transportation taken for granted, but not that long ago the idea of seeing a machine soar through the skies elicited disbelief and then worldwide excitement, thanks to Wilbur and Orville Wright. Despite the fact that they solved one of the most phenomenal engineering puzzles of humankind and changed the world forever, most know little about the brothers from Dayton, Ohio. However, thanks to Pulitzer Prize–winning author David McCullough’s latest book The Wright Brothers, their lives in the shadows of history has been brought to full light. The tome is a brilliant page-turner that reveals the breadth of what Wilbur and Orville truly accomplished and reveals the exceptional human beings they were.
From Dayton to Kitty Hawk to Les Mans to Washington, D.C., McCullough takes readers on an adventure that chronicles the successes and failures the Wrights faced over the nearly 10 years it took them to complete their invention (deemed The Flyer) and master the art of aviation. We are also introduced to the other players in the brothers’ lives — namely their sister Katherine and their father — whom without they likely wouldn’t have been able to bring their vision to fruition. In anticipation of his visit, I spoke with McCullough about the brothers and their impact on the modern world.
Hi, is this David McCullough? Yes, It is. I’m glad to hear from you, I was looking forward to talking to you.