Thursday, July 02, 2009

Thematic Photographic 56: "Aviation" v.2.0


"Wright Flyer, National Air and Space Museum"
Washington, DC - April, 1999 (Click to embiggen)

Thematic Photographic hosted by Carmi - Button Image by SmarmoofusHosted by Written Inc.

This aircraft is near to my heart, as it is to the heart of any North Carolinian or Ohioan. (Both states have a part in this bit of history.) This is the airplane that started it all. In fact, it wasn't even called an "airplane". It was -- and is -- known simply as the "Wright Flyer", and its maiden flight could have been surpassed by a Brett Favre forward pass. (Well, before he hurt his elbow anyway.) On December 17th, 1903 at Kitty Hawk on North Carolina's Outer Banks, Orville Wright piloted the Flyer for a whopping 40 yards in a flight that lasted all of 12 seconds. Not even long enough to finish the bag of pretzels. Most amazing of all? Total expenditures for development and construction came in at under $1000. Even adjusted for 106 years of inflation, you'll never see a better return on investment than that. I wonder if anyone at Grumman is taking notes.
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3 comments:

Melli said...

Ahhhh! Another GOOD one Mojo! By the way -- I wasn't AT the airport when I was shooting those planes! I was at a park - Graevelly Park - it's built right at the end of the runway - but off Airport property. HOWEVER... even though photographers are ALWAYS at that park - set up with tripods and what-have-you -- I did indeed still have a MIB watching me! I felt sorry for him too - because it was 98 in the shade that day - and he was in full dress! Poor boy!

Shadow said...

i'll do a lot of things, but NOT fly in that thing....

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

where would you put the luggage?