Flying into Undergraduate Research with the Wright Brothers

Timothy Brown

September 24, 2012

Assignment # 3

Flying into Undergraduate Research with the Wright Brothers

“We were lucky enough to grow up in an environment where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interest, to investigate whatever aroused curiosity.” Orville Wright said this quote in reference to the first successful flight that he and his brother, Wilbur Wright, made in North Carolina on December 17, 1903. Orville and Wilbur were two brothers who owned a bicycle shop before embarking on their interest in aviation ⁽²⁾. These two brothers, who lacked “principled knowledge”, used skills of motivation, curiosity, and wit to become the first in flight. Through their innovation, the skills of inventers and researchers are now evident today and often related back to ways in which the Wright brothers became successful ⁽¹⁾. They exemplified what it should be like to be an undergraduate researcher, similarly to what many universities have today, and laid the fundamental processes that are used in undergraduate research.  

            Curiosity was the first factor that made the Wright brothers act like undergraduate researchers. They took a simple little toy that they referred to as a ‘bat’ and let it fuel their interest in aviation. This toy, a gift from their father, was actually know as a helicopter and would fly from the release of rubber bands. In examination of this toy the Wright brothers began their simple experimentation, without realizing it, in aviation ⁽³⁾. After becoming bored with their helicopter experiments, many years passed before they decided to pick their old interest back up. This time they exemplified another undergraduate researching concept by pursuing an interest that is in efforts of supplying needs or advancement of society. They realized that the knowledge and practice of aviation was lacking and envisioned the benefits that could be made, and through this realization they began to fully research and experiment in aviation. Lastly, one other major characteristic of undergraduate research that the Wright brothers showed was their motivation and dedication to continue past each failed attempt and not give up on their pursuit at building an aircraft that was actually flyable. Through their dedication, they surpassed their competitors who were falling behind due to giving up their on further attempts due to their lack of dedication ⁽²⁾.

            Undergraduate researchers today studying in universities across the world now have basic characteristics among themselves. Like the Wright brothers they have a curiosity that acts as their ignition, the desire to reach a goal that improves society as a destination, as well as motivation and dedication to be the fuel that runs it all. In addition to these characteristics undergraduate researchers today have others characteristics that the Wright brothers implemented. The main characteristic is the persistent of trial and error. In an article titled “Innovation in the Absence of Principle Knowledge: The Case of the Wright Brothers” written by Carl Bereiter, the persistent of trial and error as well as growing from error is deeply discussed. The article breaks down the Wright Brothers work into three segments based off of three separate analogies that they used to compare their aircraft to. The first analogy was based on a bird, the second a bicycle, and the third a twisted box. From each analogy Bereiter shows how the two brothers tested a hypothesis, failed, and gained a better understanding for a new approach ⁽¹⁾. This type of trial and error is something that researchers today implement, and also grow from, just like how some undergraduate researchers accept failure and don’t continue on, while some do.

            Another characteristic of undergraduate research that was displayed by the Wright Brothers was their acceptance of help from support systems as well as peers more knowledgeable than themselves. The Wright Brothers allowed their failures to be noticed by their support system, which only helped refuel their dedication ⁽²⁾. In today’s society when researchers hit a brick wall or reach failure they often hid from peers in fear of judgment. In reality, if researchers were to reach out for support during periods of failure, not only would they find encouragement but also the spark of inspiration to start back to work with a renewed vigor.  Also, it is beneficial for researchers to reach out and seek advise from someone with a broader knowledge on the subject as well as a different viewpoint. This is just how the Wright Brothers went about their research. One example of this relates back to Mr. Chanute, a fellow researcher in aviation at the time. The Wright Brothers became acquainted with him and as he watched their experimental flights he was able to offer advice to them that helped get them even closer to being the first in flight ⁽³⁾.

            Wilbur Wright once stated, “From the time we were little children, my brother Orville and myself live together, played together, worked together and, in fact, thought together” ⁽²⁾. This quote gives some insight into how the two brothers operated as a team that helped them succeed at being first in flight. It is through their hard work, dedication, curiosity, and persistence that led them on their road to the history books. The characteristics that the Wright Brothers exhibited were not only great methods of experimentation but were also very similar to what undergraduate researchers should exemplify today. The Wright Brother’s success has not only been an inspiration to young eyes needing a reason behind their extravagant dreams, as it has laid out the foundation pathway for researchers today to look back on upon as one of many examples to see what it takes to be successful.

           

Bibliography

   1.   Bereiter, Carl. "Innovation In The Absence Of Principled Knowledge: The Case Of The

Wright Brothers." Creativity And Innovation Management 18.3 (2009): 234-241. PsycINFO. Web. 21 Sept. 2012.

    2.   Freedman, Russell, Wilbur Wright, and Orville Wright. The Wright Brothers: How They   Invented the Airplane. New York: Holiday House, 1991. Print.  
     

    3.    Wright, Orville, and Wilbur Wright. "The Wright Brothers Aeroplane." The Century

            Magazine Sept. 1908: n. pag. Dayton History Books Online. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.

         <http://www.daytonhistorybooks.com/page/page/1679239.htm>.