Two bike mechanics from Ohio changed everything—and almost lost credit because they hated people.
On August 8, 1908, at a racetrack outside Paris, Wilbur Wright executed what was, for him, a routine flight: a smooth take-off banking into a couple of tight circles, ending in a perfect landing. The flight took less than two minutes, but it left spectators awestruck. While the combined talents of Wilbur and Orville Wright had produced the first plane capable of controlled flight , their distrust of others had almost cost them the credit for their invention. Now, having proved to the public that they had mastered the sky, the reserved brothers from the small town of Dayton, Ohio, became world celebrities.
Direction
Nancy Porter turns patent disputes into nail-biters.
Acting
David McCullough's voice could make a grocery list profound.
Editing
Those 1908 Paris crowd reactions—pure goosebumps.
Director
Nancy Porter
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Garrison Keillor recorded his narration in a single session, reportedly wearing his usual sneakers and suspenders.
The 'American Experience' episode helped rehabilitate the Wrights' image after decades of competing claims from other aviation pioneers had muddied their legacy.
US
