108 years ago tomorrow . . . and the competing claims.

[danielfindling]

December 17 a time for reflection of the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight*

*The competing claims: A nice diversion from work this afternoon yielded the following: (thanks Wikipedia)

Clément Ader: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cl%C3%A9ment_Ader
Gustave Albin Whitehead: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Whitehead
Richard William Pearse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pearse
Karl Jatho: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Jatho

[Hal Bryan]

Our own Adam Smith did a fascinating webinar that delves deep into a lot of the competing claims - well worth the time if you have even a passing interest:

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=715566964001

[FlyingRon]

I always wanted to issue the "Samuel P. Langley Award" for the person who most spectacularly fails to achieve flight in a given year.

[tonycondon]

yes we remember wilbur and orville each year at this time for their invention of the towplane.

[rangerofthewest]

This day will be remembered