The first controlled, manned flight of an aircraft was made by the Wright Brothers at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina on December 17, 1903. But were they really the first? Although there is no definitive proof, researchers in New Zealand believe that “on or about March 31, 1903, [Richard] ‘Mad Pearse’…flew for about 140 metres before his plane crashed into the gorse hedge surrounding the farm that he never wanted and always neglected.” Apparently Pearse never claimed to be the first:
He never claimed to have truly beaten the Wright brothers, saying he hadn’t met his own exacting standards for “proper … sustained and controlled flight.” His descents were too erratic and his plane, he wrote to the Christchurch Star in 1928, wasn’t fast enough to steer effectively. “I had successful navigation within my grasp … but I decided to give up the struggle as it was useless to try to compete against the men who had factories at their backs.”
In the wake of the approaching hundredth anniversary of manned flight, this is quite a story. However, even if enough evidence is found to prove this claim, it does not change the lasting impact made by the Wright Brothers. I really look forward to attending some of the centennial celebrations in this coming year…
