The Wright Company: From Invention to Industry

Contents

Contents List of Illustrations ix Preface xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1 one “We Will Devote . . . Our Time to Experimental Work” Creating the Wright Company 5 two Bringing an Aeroplane Factory to Dayton 17 three “A Substantial, Commodious, Thoroughly Modern Factory” The Wright Company Enters the Market 37 four “Our Machines Are Sold on Their Merits” Patents, Profits, and Controversy 55 five World Records for Wright Aviators The Exhibition Department 71 six To Change or Not to Change Creating New Airplanes and New Pilots 83 seven Turning Buyer Attention the Company Way Advertising 113 eight Managing the Wrights’ Company 129 nine “It Is Something I Have Wanted to Do for Many Months” Exit Orville 155 Epilogue The Wright Company’s Legacy 175 Notes 181 Bibliography 205 Index 213 ...