Flight before wrights?

[Kyle Boatright]

I wrote a report about Gustav Whitehead when I was in the 7th or 8th grade. I concluded that he was the first to fly. Largely because his airplanes looked like airplanes.

But 35 years later, I wonder why he didn't do any follow-up work on his invention? I mean, zero, zip, nada. It doesn't make sense. Also, his prop's and control systems (IIRC) were rudimentary, at best, making me question his claims...

[Mike Switzer]

There was supposedly a guy in either Australia or New Zealand also - I have a file somewhere I will try to look for it tomorrow.