“With all the knowledge and skill acquired in thousands of flights in the last ten years, I would hardly think today of making my first flight on a strange machine in a twenty-seven mile wind, even if I knew that the machine had already been flown and was safe.”
- 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
“With all the knowledge and skill acquired in thousands of flights in the last ten years, I would hardly think today of making my first flight on a strange machine in a twenty-seven mile wind, even if I knew that the machine had already been flown and was safe.”
Explanation
In this reflection, Orville Wright conveys a deep sense of retrospective caution, shaped by years of experience. Despite having gained extensive expertise from “thousands of flights”, he expresses surprise at his own earlier boldness or perhaps recklessness, noting that with the wisdom he later acquired, he would now hesitate to fly a new aircraft in a “twenty-seven mile wind”, even one that had been proven safe. This illustrates the gap between theoretical safety and personal confidence, especially when pushing the limits of a new technology.
The quote emphasizes the humility and realism that come with experience. The Wright brothers’ early flights were conducted in uncertain, often perilous conditions, without precedent or complete understanding of aerodynamic behavior. This sentence reveals that even great pioneers, in hindsight, recognize the risks they once underestimated. It’s a testament to the evolution of judgment, where deeper knowledge does not lead to more daring, but often to greater restraint and respect for the unknown.
Today, this insight applies to any field involving innovation or risk. Entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists frequently face decisions where theory and reality don’t fully align. Experience tempers enthusiasm with caution, teaching that bold action must be matched with preparation and awareness of context. Orville’s words remind us that courage and prudence are not opposites, but both are essential in shaping lasting success.
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