“When the motor was completed and tested, we found that it would develop 16 horse power for a few seconds, but that the power rapidly dropped till, at the end of a minute, it was only 12 horse power.”
- 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 motor was completed and tested, we found that it would develop 16 horse power for a few seconds, but that the power rapidly dropped till, at the end of a minute, it was only 12 horse power.”
Explanation
This quote captures the technical challenges the Wright brothers faced during the development of the first powered aircraft. The motor, a crucial component in achieving sustained flight, initially produced 16 horsepower, but its performance was inconsistent and unreliable, dropping to 12 horsepower within a minute. This reveals the experimental and fragile nature of early aviation technology, where even minor performance losses could mean the difference between flight and failure.
The statement reflects a scientific mindset, emphasizing careful observation, measurement, and honest assessment of results. Rather than being discouraged by the shortfall, the Wrights documented their findings meticulously, which allowed them to refine their designs. It demonstrates their engineering discipline—they did not expect perfection but rather treated each test as a step toward improvement. This kind of persistent iteration is a hallmark of innovation.
In today’s terms, this quote illustrates the importance of resilience and adaptation in any technological or creative endeavor. Whether it’s a startup struggling with software performance or an inventor fine-tuning a prototype, the lesson is that initial success may be misleading, and sustained performance is what truly matters. The Wrights’ willingness to confront and work through limitations helped them achieve a milestone that changed the world—the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight.
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