Orville Wright: The Art and Science of Aviation, 1914

Methodical Steps

Orville Wright applied the Scientific Method to his work from the beginning of his fascination with aviation through its culmination at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903.

He followed the methodical steps of researching information from reliable sources; defining the problem to be solved; proposing a solution or hypothesis, then designing meticulous experiments to test the hypothesis and perform the testing; and finally, after repeated redesign and retesting, solving the problem. As engineers, the Wrights were more interested in building working machines than in discovering enduring scientific truths. Their efforts with bicycles, kites, gliders, and airplanes fulfilled both.

Letter from Orville Wright to R.B. Owens, Expressing gratitude for the award and promising attendance at the award ceremony, 3/14/1914 (1.1M)