1. In your own words, tell about each member of the Wright family.

Father - Milton Wright, Protestant Minister
Mother - Susan Koerner Wright, homemaker
Siblings - Oldest:

• Older Brother #1
• Older brother #2 (Lorin)
• Wilbur born April 16, 1867
• Twins; one died at birth, the other died a month later
• Orville born August 19, 1871
• Sister: Katharine

2. What did Milton Wright (father) give the brothers that fascinated them so?

He brought home a flying toy that was a rubberband-powered "helicoptere" that was made by Alphonse Penaud of France.

3. What did the brothers do with that gift?

They played with it for hours and created their own version of it. They probably wondered about how it worked, took it apart, examined it, maybe even improved it, and then put it back together.

4. In your own words, describe Orville Wright.

A mischievous youngster who would get suspended from school because of pranks. He was good at learning and teaching himself by going to the library and doing research. The author describes him as impulsive, optimistic, energetic and shy. He also had a good memory. He was also nervous when speaking in public.

5. In your own words, describe Wilbur Wright.

He was articulate (well spoken). He did math problems differently than the teacher taught him to. He was a fine athlete who did well at running.

6. Wilbur had planned to go to college. What happened that changed his plans?

He was struck hard in the face during an ice-skating game. It was not a major blow, but it evidently shocked his system to the point that he suffered from heart palpitations and had digestion problems. He was confined to bed for nearly two years before the doctor said he was cured. He became depressed because he lost his chance to go to college, so he spent another year reading and educating himself at home.

7. What happened to the brothers' mother?

She developed tuberculosis and died.

8. How do you think this affected Wilbur?

He cared for his mother, which possibly showed that he could overcome the setback and live his own life. It probably forced him out of his depression and got him back into living life by working with his father.

9. After this tragedy, how did the family's life change?

Katharine, at the age of fifteen, took on the job of running the house. She was, however, the only one of the three younger siblings to graduate from college. She was a great support to Wilbur and Orville. She encouraged them and became their confidante.

10. What was Orville's interest between 1884 - 1892?

Orville got a printing press, and with a friend of his, started a school newspaper that eventually (after his friend lost interest and his brother Wilbur joined in) led to a daily town newspaper. Their enterprise expanded into a print shop.

11. What invention next attracted their attention?

The bicycle caught their attention. They first rode one for pleasure, but then they taught themselves how it worked and how to repair it.

12. Where did this new invention lead the brothers?

It led them to learn how bicycles worked and how to repair them. They then decided to open a second business: a bicycle repair shop. The shop expanded quickly and they soon designed their own bicycle.

13. What two life-changing events happened at the same time?

Orville came down with Typhoid Fever. Wilbur stayed by his bedside to watch after him (with Katharine's help). While by Orville's side, Wilbur had time to read the news and reflect on the tragic accident which killed a German engineer, Otto Lilienthal, who was experimenting with flying gliders. They spent some time discussing the possibility of flight. Being mechanics, they found it very interesting. After Orville got well, they returned to work at the bicycle shop.