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Sarah Masinda Professor Tom Ulch English 121 MW September 25, 2013 The Wright Brothers and I Take Off The First Flight photo depicts two brothers who were not brilliant scientists, but discovered a passion early enough to make a difference in the world. I believe that I have a similar enthusiasm for my career and life. They were truly common men who did uncommon things (Fisk 7). I have encountered multiple similar trial and error experiences and admire the perseverance of the Wright brothers. They have demonstrated that with inspiration, a small group can make a massive change in the world. They grew up to become people that asked questions and astonished all of those who doubted them. These people are my heroes. To understand the development of Orville and Wilburs enthusiasm, it is first necessary to be familiar with their upbringing. The Wrights success was not an accident. A big part of who they were came from their traditional caring family. Their mother, Susan Wright, was understanding and compassionate. Susan was the daughter of a skilled carriage maker. She was the builder of the family and was most likely the first to put tools in the boys hands. Their father, Milton Wright, was a bishop in the Church of the United Brethren. Because of his occupation, his family traveled frequently. His parenting style was strict and authoritarian. Milton most likely contributed to his childrens curiosity by exposing them to books and letters from his extensive library. It was in their childhood that the two brothers became inseparable.

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Like the Wright Brothers, I also found my partner at a young age. If I had to attribute one person in the world that changed my perspective, it would undoubtably be my brother. Ian was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Growing up with an autistic brother significantly impacted all areas of my life. Because he was my only brother, we always shared an unbreakable bond. I always was aware that my brother was not the same as most kids his age. When I brought friends over, they teased him for the constant flapping of his arms and strange noises. I would not tolerate their bullying and would tell them to leave. I lost many friends when I became known as the girl with the strange brother. Its strange how one event can change someones outlook on the world. The most remarkable contribution to the boys imagination was the many gifts Milton brought back for them. Sometimes, the gift was a fossil or stone. Other times, they were elaborate contraptions that the boys played with for days. The toy that made the biggest difference was a rubber band powered helicopter (Heppenheimer 12) . The toy was so loved that the boys broke it within a few weeks. The broken toy inspired the brothers to make improvements upon it. This was the start of many inventions they created, including kites. Together, their parents created an environment in which the brothers could advance into the inventors they are known as today. My upbringing had a tremendous effect on how I see things. My parents were very adamant about not treating my brother any different than me. However, raising a child with disabilities can be incredibly frustrating. I have distinct memories of my mother locking herself in her room and sobbing after a big meltdown from my brother. These meltdowns would include banging his head against the wall, doing somersaults, biting himself, and screaming. It is not

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often that one single item or event can change someones mind about a career. One night, the meltdown was particularly bad. Ian was upset because he did not want to go upstairs and get into bed. The battle went on for hours. Then, a breakthrough happened that changed everything. I pulled him aside and pretended to be a train. I encouraged him by shouting I lost my caboose!, in hopes that he would attach onto me. He instantaneously grabbed onto my hips and we took our train upstairs. This was the first of many loopholes that I discovered. It was the start of an everlasting bond between my brother and I. Most people are unaware that the Wright Brothers started with a much smaller approach to transportation. Orville and Wilbur opened the Wright Cycle Exchange in 1892. (Adventure Wing). They worked with bicycles, printing presses, motors, and other machines. As the shop got more successful, the men began to manufacture their own bicycles. The brothers had a natural gift for inventing parts to improve the durability and simplicity of the bicycles. The bike shop was a big push into the world of engineering. I had a similar experience when it came to the field of special education. During my junior year of high school, I had a slight problem with my school schedule. It listed me as enrolled in a course that I had already taken. By the time I realized this, most of the popular classes were already full. When I talked to an academic advisor, she suggested the class MAC Links. MAC Links, or Mentorship for Achievement in the Classroom, is a program that connects special education students with a peer. I was put into a class that focused on teaching the students about the unwritten social rules of life. I walked in expecting to be their guide, and walked out of the room at the end of the year with twelve new friends. The class made a

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dramatic impact on how I see the world. However, I wasnt quite sure how to make a career out of special education without becoming a teacher. Once the brothers had found their calling, it was time to start. Orville and Wilbur did not begin with motorized airplanes. According to Fisk and Todd, gliders were a good beginning for the brothers because they were easier to build and conduct scientific experiments with. (65). Gliders were flown from long cords, like a kite. They flew the 1900 Wright Glider in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This area was selected because of its powerful winds from the Atlantic Ocean. They initially struggled getting the glider off the ground with the weight of a man onboard. When they did get the glider into the air, lack of control became a problem. It was difficult to get the glider off the ground, but even more of a challenge to get it to turn. Composed flying was beginning to seem like an impossible goal. I also have struggled with the issue of control in my life. It often feels as though other forces are against me, attempting to leave me in a spinning mess. When I was seventeen, my brother got two wisdom teeth removed. He was adjusting very well until my mom asked him to clean up his toys. Because of the medication he was taking, he had the most violent episode that we had ever encountered. Ian was cracking floor tiles with his head, ripping out his stitches, and punching anyone around him. Ive never felt so helpless and overwhelmed. I desperately tried holding him down, but he was no longer a child and overpowered me. Luckily, when paramedics arrived at the scene, he was beginning to calm down. I had never desperately felt the need for control before. Having setbacks such as lack of control can dramatically alter a persons motivation. Sometimes this change is negative, other times it isnt. In this case, the unsuccessful gliders

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pushed the Wrights even harder. They went back to research and attempted to discover a new way to gain control. Days past and the idea came to them unexpectedly. One day at the shop, Orville pulled a tire from a rack and began playing with a box while he talked to a customer. He envisioned the box as airplane wings. The structure of the box allowed for twisting but not breaking. By twisting the wings of a biplane in opposite directions, he could solve the problem of banking an airplane. (Happenheimer 90). This discovery was the base for their success. At this point in my life, I was waiting for a breakthrough like Orville and Wilbur so desperately needed. I was waiting in line a long line at a grocery store when my answer came. I came across a young woman by the name of Mary Hydorn. She noticed my autism awareness pin on my purse and we started chatting. I mentioned my fears of becoming a special education teacher because of the lack of jobs. Her excitement was apparent when she told me about the field of pediatric occupational therapy. I had never heard of the field before and began to do research. Its amazing how something so simple as an accessory can create a new idea. The new plan was put to work. Their new wing warping idea was an enormous success. (Breakthrough Concept). A few more prototypes were developed. These models had decreased weight, improved control, and better aerodynamics. The Wright Brothers moved on to the important part: the motor. According to Fisk and Todd, the original motor was a challenge because the weight of the machine was 605 pounds (90). With improvements, the final weight was 152 pounds. It was this motor that would eventually become part of the record breaking airplane. With this new addition, the Wright brothers were well on their way to success in the air.

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My internship represents the motor of the airplane. In September of 2012, I began my internship with Kids in Motion Pediatric Occupational, Speech, Aquatic, and Physical Therapy. Mary Hydorn, the woman I met at the grocery store, introduced me to the clinic because she was the owner. My time with KIM has inspired me to try my best with school. It has given me momentum and something to aspire for. I now know without a doubt that I want to become a Speech Pathologist and assist kids like Ian. I dream of helping children with disabilities just like the Wright Brothers dreamt of flying. The Wright brothers achieved this on December 17th, 1903 when Flier I took off on the sands of Kitty Hawk (Heppenheimer 205). The brother than manned the plane was determined by a coin flip. Wilbur won the toss and Orville did the ground work. The first flight lasted twelve seconds and traveled just 120 feet (Reuther). The brothers could not have been more thrilled. All of their hard work was rewarded in those few moments. The day only got better when on the fourth attempt Wilbur got the record breaking run of 852 feet in 59 seconds. I can only hope to have an undeniable moment of success like the Wright brothers had. I can imagine their feelings as the plane took off and I think of my first day at college. That moment was a direct result of my hard work. I feel as though I am Wilbur Wright and am leaving on a great adventure with my parents there to send me off. Getting to Eastern Michigan University wasnt an easy task, but if I didnt go, someone else may have been in my spot. I have accomplished The man behind the photo was John T. Daniels. He snapped the famous picture using Orvilles prepositioned camera. Daniels had never used or seen a camera before the iconic day. Because of his lack of experience, Orville set up the tripod and focused in on the right distance.

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He briefly explained to squeeze the shutter release bulb when the time was right. When the plane took off, it has been said that he was so excited that he almost forgot to squeeze the bulb (Amar). It is amazing how life takes you exactly where you need to be. Granted, it takes a diligent effort to get to a goal, but its worth it in the end. After the Wright Brothers passed away, the push to get into the sky became a race to the moon. I want to leave behind a legacy like Orville and Wilbur did. I want to help people metaphorically take off and become the best they can be.

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Works Cited Adventure Wing. A Virtual Museum of Pioneer Aviation. (2011) n. pag. The Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company. Web. 23 September 2013. Daniels, John. First Flight. 1903. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. wright-house.com. Web. 15 September 2013. Fisk, Fred, and Marlin, Todd. (1995) The Wright Brothers: From Bicycle to Biplane. West Milton: Toddfisk, 1995. Print. Heppenheimer, T.A. First Flight: The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2003. Print. McQueen, Steve. The Wright Bros Original Flyboys. (2012) n. pag. Wright Brothers. Web. 20 September 2013. The Breakthrough Concept. Inventing a Flying Machine. (2004) n. pag. The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Arial Age. Web. 20 September 2013. Toor, Amar. Iconic Wright Brothers Photo was Photographers First. theverge.com. Ed.; Vox Media. Dec. 19 2012. Web. 20 September 2013. Reuther, Kate. Inventing the Plane. teacher.scholastic.com. Ed. Web. 20 September 2013. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/flight/wright/build.htm