Samuel P. Langley. When I give this name I don’t believe it
would ring a bell with anyone. But if I say the Wright Brothers everyone would
be able to quickly spat off these are the ones who successfully flew the first
heavy aircraft. This reputation was supposed to be that of Sam Langley, but
because of the weather he missed his moment in history.
Langley, a highly educated Harvard grad, has an impressive
background with astrology. His research led to him developing a love for the
sun has he revealed much of the knowledge we have today about it. Because of
Langley’s interest in the astrology and the sun led him to be passionate about
flying. Langley was the director of the Smithsonian in 1887; giving him tools
to further his research of the flying and even made a flying machine. This
machine simulated flight and carried a human being.
After several failed attempts Langley learned many valuable
lessons about aerodynamics. He learned that weather played a heavy role in his
flights. If the wind blew one way or another it would derail his flying
attempts. President McKinley became interested in Langley’s project and even
granted him $50,000 in his flying pursuits. Thus enabling Langley to further
research his ideas on a large scale.
In 1903, after years of work and $70,000 Langley was ready
to launch his aerodrome (his version of a plane). On December 8, 1903 he exemplified
his plane from a houseboat in the Pacific. Reporters were lined up along the beach to
witness the event. The pins were
released from the plane, which was to catapult it into the air. Simultaneously,
there was a massive gust of wind that swept across the Potomac. The rear wings
of the plane collapsed and the plane took a swift nosedive into the river.
About a week later, the Wright Brothers claimed the fame of
first in aviation in Kitty Hawk, NC. The
Brothers used the dunes of the beaches for take off on a clear day in North
Carolina.
Although, I understand the race to be the first in flight I
don’t understand the logistics of Langley’s flight. December wasn’t probably
the best month to choose to win the aviation race. However, I understand timing
was sensitive to win the race so December was probably an unavoidable month for
the race. However, I don’t understand why Langley choose the location that he
did. My research shows that the boat the plane was on was on the Potomac River.
The Potomac River in the month of December doesn’t seem to be the best though
out spot to launch such a mission where weather can have such a grave effect on
the outcome. I would think he would choose an area of the US that would be more
favorable to launch the plane.
Also, launching from a house doesn’t seem to be the best
decision. Because the wind on the sea in inevitable and unpredictable,
especially in the early 1900’s. Langley
was a highly educated man with an invention that changed the world. However,
because of his mistake on his launch and the strong winds he lost all of his
fame. In lue of his failure the Wright Brothers gained fame and history was
rewrote.
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