“When the machine had been fastened with a wire to the track, so that it could not start until released by the operator, and the motor had been run to make sure that it was in condition, we tossed a coin to decide who should have the first trial. Wilbur won.”
- Wilbur Wright: April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912
- Orville Wright: August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948
- American
- Aviation Pioneers, Inventors, Engineers, First to Achieve Powered, Controlled Flight
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Quote
“When the machine had been fastened with a wire to the track, so that it could not start until released by the operator, and the motor had been run to make sure that it was in condition, we tossed a coin to decide who should have the first trial. Wilbur won.”
Explanation
This quote captures a moment of careful preparation and quiet anticipation leading up to one of history’s most iconic events: the first flight of a powered aircraft. The Wright brothers ensured that the machine was secure and functional—fastened with a wire to the track and tested for engine readiness—before proceeding. Their methodical attention to safety and readiness illustrates the discipline and structure they brought to what could have been viewed as a risky or impulsive endeavor. The coin toss, a simple and impartial decision-making tool, speaks to the humility and equality between the brothers, as neither claimed precedence over the other.
The act of tossing a coin also reveals that, despite all the technical preparation, there was a human element of chance and shared trust in their process. That Wilbur “won” the toss meant he would pilot the first trial, but it also symbolized a moment where history turned on an ordinary gesture. Behind the grandeur of flight were two brothers taking turns, not with ceremony, but with quiet resolve. This moment was not staged, but the product of shared ambition, mutual respect, and democratic simplicity.
In the modern world, this quote reminds us that even the most groundbreaking achievements begin with practical steps and human decisions. The Wright brothers didn’t wait for perfect conditions or guarantee of success—they prepared carefully, shared the risk equally, and proceeded. Their example teaches that progress often arises from the blend of precision and courage, and that sometimes the future is decided with something as small and honest as a coin toss.
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