Reading Reflection No. 1

·       The most surprising thing is that the Wright brothers were always close and worked well together. Furthermore, while Orville was sick with typhoid, Wilbur would read to his brother about the German glider enthusiast Otto Lilienthal. By reading at his brother bedside it sparked the quest to fly.

·    What I admire most about the Wright family. The Wright brothers were very close with their family. Their parents instilled many qualities in their children. They insprired education into their children. Everyone in the house read all the time. The father would even allow them to miss school to read or for some project he deemed worthy. Moreover, throughout the years, the Wright brothers consistently stayed in contact with their father and sister.

·    The thing I least admire is that both of the brothers did not pursue a college education. Education was always a priority, however neither further pursued it.  I thought that Wilbur would pursue his education because there was once talk of Yale. In addition, after some time as a businessman Wilbur decided he wanted to become a teacher. He then decided to pursue his college degree. However, the Wright brothers bike business picked back up and Wilbur derailed from his education.

·    The Wright brothers faced adversity just as everyone else does in life. For example, while trying to create their flying machine there were many failures. The brothers fought through their failures by working tirelessly, reading, experimenting and testing their flying machines. The brothers never wavered from their pursuit of flying.   

·    While reading the book I noticed that Wilbur was never rattled. Even though Wilbur or Orville did not have a college degree they continuously educated themselves. Wilbur had a way with words and loved literature. Orville was a natural entrepreneur.  While still in high school Orville began his own print shop behind his house. And of course he had the help of Wilbur. Moreover, Orville was mechanical ingenuity. Nevertheless, both of the Wright brothers had a drive, a purpose and unyielding determination.

·    In this book I didn’t find anything too confusing. However, in the beginning of the book I was a little confused of the older siblings, Reuchlin and Lorin. They were mentioned, yet, it did not register who they were. I had to go back to realize they were apart of the family.

·    If I had the opportunity to ask the Wright brothers’ two questions I think I would ask – What was it like to work together as brothers? Having a brother myself I understand wanting to work with your brother. I would ask them because it had to be difficult at times. Next, I would ask why were they so fascinating about creating something? I would ask this because they were very determined to create. The started with the print shop, then the bike shop and of course the flying machine. I would want to know what was their driving force. Was it each other pushing one another?

·    I believe that the Wright brothers’ idea of hard work is resilience.  Their constant pursuit of creating was inevitable. Their work ethic was second to none. I do share this idea of hard work. I have like most people overcome difficulty and continue to pursue my goals just as the Wright brothers did.