"With twelve horse power at our command, we considered that we could permit the weight of the machine with operator to rise to 750 or 800 pounds, and still have as much surplus power as we had originally allowed for in the first estimate of 550 pounds"
- Orville Wright
About this Quote
This quote by Orville Wright is describing the advancement of the Wright Brothers' very first effective airplane. The quote is talking about the power of the engine they had designed and how it might be utilized to support the weight of the machine. The Wright Brothers had originally estimated that the device would require 550 pounds of power to fly, however with the twelve horse power engine they had created, they realized that they could increase the weight of the device to 750 or 800 pounds and still have sufficient power to fly. This was a significant advancement in the development of the aircraft, as it enabled a much heavier device to be flown. The Wright Brothers' innovation and engineering abilities permitted them to develop an effective engine that might support a much heavier maker than they had actually originally anticipated. This quote is a testament to their resourcefulness and their dedication to creating an effective plane.