The Beginning of the Future
The Wright Brothers officially expressed their desire to join the aeronautical community in a letter Wilbur wrote to the Smithsonian Institution on May 30, 1899. He declared his intent to pursue research in the field (1).
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington:
Dear Sirs:
“...I am an enthusiast, but not a crank in the sense that I have some pet theories as to the proper construction of a flying machine. I wish to avail myself of all that is already known and then if possible add my mite to help on the future worker who will attain final success....”
Wilbur Wright
1. "The Wright Brothers: The Invention of the Aerial Age," Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, accessed May 16, 2016