When you think of Wilbur Wright, you probably think of Dayton, OH, or Kitty Hawk, NC.
But here are three surprising connections between Wilbur, the Smithsonian, and Washington DC.
1) Wilbur wrote a letter to the Smithsonian on May 30th, 1899. The Smithsonian was still a young institution, barely over fifty years old. Yet it had a growing scientific collaboration Wilbur was eager to consult.
2) In 1909, he and his brother Orville received the Aero Club of America gold medal from President Taft at a ceremony at the White House. The award honored the brothers for their aeronautic achievements.
3) He donated the 1903 Wright Flyer to the Smithsonian in 1948 after a long feud with the Smithsonian’s director. It’s the most iconic artifact at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to this day.
Today, the Air and Space Museum has all three- the letter, the gold medal, and the Wright Flyer. All thanks to Wilbur Wright and his collaboration with his brother, Orville Wright.
With Wilbur’s birthday on April 16th, I want to remember him and his contribution to American life.
Visit “The Wright Brothers” and “Early Aviation” galleries at Air & Space to see how his life and legacy played out.
Here’s to your courageous spirit, Wilbur Wright.
Happy birthday!
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