Orville Wright On Wright Flyer Control Systems

Updated March 5, 2025

Orville Wright, in two letters highlighted in this post, wrote of the differing flight control systems on the various models of Wright flyers. The first letter was written to his grand-nephew, George Russel, grandson of Reuchlin and Lulu Wright. Reuchlin and Lulu's daughter Helen married George Nichols Russel October 4, 1908. Helen and George had two daughters, Helen and Elizabeth, and one son, George Milton Russel. 

 

The envelope associated with the Orville Wright to George M. Russel December 31, 1946 letter was lost through the U.S. Postal Service when mailed within another enclosure to this Author's home January of 2025, but never received. If the envelope appears on the market, please know the rightful owner typing this post is hoping for its safe return. Unfortunately, it has likely found it's way into the Postal Service's Black Hole that sucks up 3% of all mail the Postal Service handles, never to be seen again. Fortunately, the two page letter is safe and archived within the Author's collection. (1)

 

 

December 31, 1946

"Dear George:

I am glad to hear that your company is getting on so well, and that you have an interesting and worth while job. I was afraid that after the war was over the aeroplane business would drop to less than five per cent. of what it was at its peak during the war.

[George, an aeronautical engineer, worked at Lockheed Aircraft.]

I can hardly imagine that the control of which you speak in your letter is basic and could be covered by a worth while patent. Unless it is basic it would have little money value. However, it may be a better mechanism. 

Our machine in 1903 required no separate control for the rudder. The rudder was connected to the wing control and worked simultaneously with it, as described in our original patent."

1903 Wright Flyer hip wing warping mechanism, Louis Christman drawing H-1, Smithsonian Institution. Note the dashed outline of aviator with hips in cradle, and left hand on elevator lever. (2)

 

"In 1908 we applied for a patent on a control in which two levers mounted on the same axle could be grasped in one hand. One lever was for operating the ailerons and the other for operating the rudder.  They could be adjusted with reference to each other and were kept in the adjusted position by a friction between the two disks, so that the operation of one lever through the friction operated the other. I used that system at Fort Myer in 1908."

Sketch by Orville Wright of control system used at Ft. Myer in 1908. (3)

 

 

Wright Model A Flyer at Ft. Myer, 1908, showing dual lever on one axle control system used by Orville Wright. Image courtesy of Wright State University Core Scholar archives.

 

"In 1908 your Uncle Will used a stick. Moving it fore and aft adjusted the rudder, and moving it side-wise moved the ailerons."

Wright control system as depicted in the Der Motorwagen Rozendaal prints published in 1909. Description in German translated to english, "Wilbur Wright ash arrangement of transverse balance disorder". (4)

  

Wilbur Wright with passenger Ernest Zens in Model A Flyer, Camp d'Auvours near Le Mans, September 1908. This photo is often mistaken to be that of Wilbur and Orville, even though Ernest Zens looks nothing like Orville Wright.

"In 1909 I used the system later used on most of the Wright Company's Model B's and other models. The fore and aft movement of a "stick" operated the wing warp or ailerons, and the side movement of a short hinged arm at the top of the stick operated the rudder. This device is illustrated and described in "Aeronautics" of September, 1911, page 96."

Sketch by Orville Wright of control system used in 1909 "on most of the Wright Company's Model B's and other models." (3)

 

 

Wright control system as depicted in the Der Motorwagen Rozendaal prints published in 1909. (2)

 

Arthur L. Welsh using the hinged-top stick controller, with separate elevator stick controller, in Wright Model B at Huffman Prairie, 1911. Image courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

 

1912 Model C control system from the William J. Hammer Collection, courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. (5)

 

"In 1914 and 1915, we used a wheel control. The wheel was mounted vertically at the top of an upright arm. The fore and aft movement of the arm operated the elevator. Turning the wheel clockwise reduced the angle of the right aileron and increased the angle of the left one. A lever was mounted on the same stud as the wheel, and extended out to and partly around the rim of the wheel forming a hand hold, so that the lever and the rim of the wheel were gripped in one hand. The lever adjusted the rudder. The elevator, the rudder and the ailerons could be operated simultaneously with one hand. The engine throttle and spark controls also were mounted on the same stud as the wheel and rudder lever. All control of plane and motor was done on the one vertical arm. ("Aerial Age", June 14, 1915, June 28, 1915, October 4, 1915.)"

 

 

Wright Model G Flying Boat, 1914 wheel control. Image courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives, Core Scholar.

 

"The French early adopted a stick for control of ailerons and elevator, and a foot bar for the rudder. They thought to get around our patent with that system, but the French Courts decided otherwise. When we went into World War I, the French were using planes by the thousand equipped with the Esnault-Pelterie system described above. Our Government therefore adopted that system so that all machines would be alike.

We used a foot bar control of rudder in a few flights in 1904, but soon abandoned it. From 1908 to 1913 we used one foot to control the speed of the engine. 

Wilbur has been with me here in Dayton for more that a month. We haven't got down to real work yet. He has been wallowing in soot getting the shop cleaned up so we can use it. I am intending to do some experimenting on the hydraulic drive, cypher machine, and possibly on the automatic control for planes--maybe some other inventions. I have made no plans for going into manufacturing. All I have in mind at present is to see some of my inventions built and tried. The hydraulic drive no doubt will take years to eliminate the bugs. The cypher machine works and is fun to play with, but probably never would be a business proposition, since the only use for it would be Governmental. Honest people have too little chance in dealing with the Government."

[On December 17, the insulation on the furnace serving Orville's Lab caught fire, and filled the Lab area with soot. Orville's grand-nephew Wilbur Herbert Wright helped with the clean-up.]

 

Orville Wright's prototype 1944 Cypher Machine, courtesy of The Franklin Institute Archives.

 

"Burma Surgeon Returns" came in good shape, but on account of the many things around the holidays that have to be attended to I haven't been able to read it as yet. That is one of the pleasures reserved for the new year. 

Wishing you, Marjorie and little Chaddy the Happiest of New Years,"

Affectionately, 

Uncle Orv

 

Seven months after writing the letter above to his grand-nephew, Orville wrote to Dr. Alexander Wetmore, the sixth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

July 30, 1947

Dr. A. Wetmore, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

"Dear Doctor Wetmore: 

I am sorry to have been so long in answering your letter of June 10th in which you inform me that the Wright 1909 military plane now in the Museum has the split-lever control. I know this control was never at any time used on that plane, but at that time I could not find a clear photograph of the hinged-lever which was used. The split-lever was used only at Kitty Hawk and at Fort Myer in 1908, never afterward."

 

Orville Wright and Lt. Thomas Selfridge in 1908 Military Wright Flyer with split lever controls. Courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

"In the demonstrations at Fort Myer in 1909 I used the hinged-top lever. Wilbur, later in that year at College Park, replaced my control with a stick control which he had previously used in Europe. Lahm, Humphreys and Foulois got their training from him with this stick control. Foulois continued the use of the stick at San Antonio, Texas, but after he saw, at the Belmont Park Meet in October, 1910, the flying of the Wright Company's pilots who were using the hinged-top lever, he had that mechamism [sic] installed on his machine."

 

Hinged-top wing warping & rudder lever. (6)

"The principle of operation was exactly the same in the 1909 Fort Myer lever as in the 1911 lever on the Rodgers plane, now in the Museum. The details of construction, however, were slightly different."

 

Cal Rodgers with Blanche Scott, at Tournament Park, Pasadena, California, November 5, 1911, with Vin Fiz Wright Flyer model EX, having just crossed the North American continent. Cal would complete the trip by December 10, reaching the Atlantic at Long Beach.  Note the hinged top controller. Photo from Author's collection.

Wright control system for "headless" machines. (6)

 

Wright Model B with "Blinder" modified at Chicago Meet. (6)

"After the receipt of your letter I examined with a magnifying glass the photographs made at Fort Myer in 1909, but  could not make out from them the exact mechanism used at that time. However, in looking through some of our European photographs a few days ago I found a clear picture showing the construction of the lever as used at Fort Myer. 

Since the split-lever was never used on the 1909 military plane I think it should be replace by one of the controls which at one time or another was used on that plane. I believe the device used in the trials at Fort Myer in 1909, and by Foulois at San Antonio in 1910, will be easier to duplicate than the stick control used by Wilbur in training Lahm, Humphreys and Foulois."

Controller as now installed on the 1909 Wright Military Flyer on display at the Smithsonian. Image courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum.

 

"Originally there were two aluminum castings on the split-lever. These same castings were used in the hinged-top lever in 1909. I assume that the split-lever now on the Army machine still has these castings and also a coil spring on the axle to hold the two halves of the split-lever in frictional contact. This spring also was used with the hinged-top lever. 

I am inclosing [sic] a sketch of the lever as used in 1909 and 1910. In 1911 the wooden disc was omitted and the rod from the top lever was connected directly onto a slightly modified aluminum casting as used in the Rodgers machine."

Sincerely yours, 

Orville Wright

Sketch of 1909 and 1910 lever enclosed with Orville Wright's July 30, 1947 letter to Dr. A. Wetmore.

 

For more on Orville's grand-nephew George M. Russel, specifically his visits to Orville's Lambert Island retreat with his cousin Wilbur H. Wright, see my post:

 

Raising Wilbur Herbert Wright

 

Copyright 2025-Getting the Story Wright

Notes:

1. This Author was blessed with the opportunity to obtain this letter directly through the great-grandson of George Milton Russel.
   
2. Wright Brothers 1903 Kitty Hawk Aeroplane National Air Museum, Smithsonian Institution Louis Christman drawing set, 1950, from Author's collection. 
3. Sketches drawn by Orville Wright on letter to his grand-nephew George Russel, December 31, 1946. From Author's collection.
   
4. From publication of 15 attachments in Der Moterwagen 1909 magazines of Rozendaal's publication. From Author's collection.
5. Source is from the William J. Hammer collection with the Smithsonian, but this copy was obtained through personal archive in Author's collection of E.W. Robischon, Asst. Director Information and Education with the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. 
6. From Scrapbook compiled by James Means, later acquired by E. W. Robischon. From Author's collection.
   

 

Article from James Means scrapbook compiled in 1910, Author's collection.

 

 

 

 

Reuchlin Wright Family

Reuchlin Born March 17, 1861, married Lulu Billheimer April 27, 1886. Lulu died Jan 7, 1951

1901, worked 80 acre farm Tonganoxie, Leavenworth, Kansas

1910, lived in Stranger, Leavenworth, Kansas

1912, lived in Baldwin City, Douglas, Kansas

1920, lived in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri

Died May 23, 1920

Lulu’s mother Amanda Louise Billheimer died in 1926

Daughter- Catharine Louise born June 23, 1887, died January 10, 1892, age 4.

Daughter- Helen Margaret born September 14, 1889, died Jan 25, 1972.

Married George Nichols Russel Oct 4, 1908. (1888- 1956).

Daughters-Helen Louise 1909-1994, Elizabeth Leigh (Greenman) 1923-1996.

Son- George Milton Russel (1915-1998). Married Marjorie Sproule February 14, 1941.

Son- Herbert Abeckett Wright born February 7, 1893, died June 19, 1960 Riverside, CA.

Married October 21, 1917 Irene Matilda May (1895- Jan 6, 1931), Sister is Ruth May, born 1892.

Irene’s father died in 1909 when she was 14. Sister Ruth’s child Elizabeth “Betty Campbell, 1914-2002. Sally Campbell, 1930-2002. Irene’s mother Bessie Devon May.

Son- Wilbur Herbert Wright born Feb 28, 1920, died 1991.

Daughter- Katherine Wright born Nov 10, 1922, died 2007.

Married Jun 26, 1933 Edna Lily Fishouser Loevenguth (1896-1982). Edna’s first husband John died in 1929. Daughters Anna Louise, Eula,  and Aleda Loevenguth, and son John Loevenguth.

Daughter- Bertha Ellwyn born December 25, 1896, died April 30, 1977.

Married Oct 8, 1919 Harold William Steeper (1892-1979)

Son- Charles Harold Steeper (1928-1984)

Daughter- Margaret Ellwyn Steeper (1924-1995)

 

 

Reuchlin & Lulu Wright Family Tree courtesy of Ohio History Connection. Family tree as on display at the Hanby House, Westerville, Ohio. There are additional family members not listed; family tree is partial. Later generations not indicated.

 

Wilbur and Orville's nephew Milton and his Wright Flyer Models

Updates March 10, 2025

Within the extended Wright family, the name Milton Wright appears a number of times through the generations. Orville and Wilbur's father Bishop Milton Wright enjoyed his grandchildren and often wrote about their visits in his diary entries, and his family letters. His grandson Milton was born in 1892, and so enjoyed a relationship with his Grandfather for 25 years (the Bishop died in 1917). In 1920, Milton Jr. was born, the subject of another post, "Orville Wright's grand-nephew, Milton Wright Jr."

Milton and Susan Wright's children- Reuchlin, Lorin, Wilbur, Otis, Ida, Orville, Katharine.

     Lorin and Ivonette (Netta) Wright's children- Milton, Ivonette, Leontine, Horace (Buster).

 

Bishop Milton Wright fought it in 1865. Orville battled it in 1896. It was now young Milton's turn. Beginning on July 18 of 1908, and day by day, Bishop Milton Wright recorded in his diary entries- "Milton is sick with something like the fever.....Milton has high fever today....Milton's fever is still high....Dr. Spitler pronounced Milton's fever is a mild case of typhoid.....Milton is quiet and notices things but little; sleeps considerably....Milton seems to be getting along well, tho his temperature at times runs up to 104 degrees.....Milton's fever still strong and he for the first a little flighty....Milton more flighty......Consultation of doctor's. Milton is quite sick....Milton's fever is still pretty high....Aug 2- Near morning, Milton's pulses almost stopped beating, but he revived, and his fever ran high all day and all night....Milton seems better this morning and later in the day, Dr. Spitler pronounced him decidedly better....Milton restless and nervous last night. The doctor gave him codeine, and he slept five hours to-day......Aug 8- The fever is rather high in the afternoon. But we think Milton is gaining. Wilbur is reported to have made a successful flight of two and 17/100 miles in LeMans, France this afternoon at 3:00.....Aug 12- Milton has some congestion of the lungs, but gets no worse during the day.....Milton continues to improve....Aug 17- Milton is still improving and was moved downstairs....Orville is getting ready to go to Washington City......Milton still improves....Sept 6- I called on Lorin's to see Milton who begins to walk again....Orville at Ft. Myer, flew 65 minutes and 52 seconds....Sept 13- Lorin's brought Milton to our house, and he remained two hours, in the afternoon. It is his first visit- since his sickness- anywhere.....Sept 17- Orville injured. Orville's disaster at 5:00; Selfridge's death.(1)

 

Bishop Milton Wright wrote in a March 7, 1909 (partial) letter to his Grand-niece Grace Frazier, 

"We are having scarlet fever in Lorin's family. His Horace (seven years old) took it February 11th, and his daughter Leontine (10 years) took it last week, and that will keep their house quarantined three weeks, more. Milton 16, and Ivonette 13, are boarding at our house, and attending school. Horace had a light spell, and Leontine a little harder. Leontine's fever broke, yesterday. It takes two or three weeks to peel off. 

The Assembly of France voted Wilbur and Orville the great honor of  'The Legion of honor'; Congress U.S. voted them gold medals, March 3rd. They have sold one machine to the Aeronautical Society in Rome for $10,000, and train a man to use it. When that is delivered, they come home, in April or May, and in June get their $35,000 of the United States Government for one Machine, and go to Germany in August or September, and take $17,000, for exhibitions, etc. They are not selling much rights, but taking in a good deal of money...." (2)

 

Lorin and Ivonette Wright's children- Milton (left rear), Ivonette (left front), Leontine (right rear), and Horace (right front). In 1910, the elder Milton Wright wrote, "With a smiling face Leontine is so motherly. Horace is a sinless sage....Milton is tall and good looking for one just grown." (2) Courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

 

Lorin Wright constructed some small scale models of the Wright Flyer during early 1909. He gave the models odd names such as "Bill", and "Bob". Bishop Milton Wright, wrote in his diary entry of May 6, 1909 "Lorin came and sewed his flying machine canvass. Lorin sold "Bill" for $200." Then on May 8, Milton wrote, "...Lorin sold his "Bob" to some Greeks...". In today's 2025 dollars, $200 from 1909 would be equivalent to $6982.00.

Lorin and Netta's first born, Milton, influenced by his Uncle Wilbur and Uncle Orv's invention, and by his father's construction of Wright Flyer models, showed his talent while a teenager, of also constructing small scale models of the Wright Flyer. It is not known the extent of help his father provided. Perhaps Lorin sewed the fabric in place for Milton, as Lorin also assisted his brothers with fabric work on the military flyers. (Bishop Milton Wright wrote in his diary November 10, 1909, "Lorin is finishing up cloth for lower half wing Govt machine, which Genl. Allen called for.")

 

"The Top picture is that of an aeroplane model, made by Milton Wright, 17 years old, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lorin Wright, and nephew of the celebrated aeroplanists, Wilbur and Orville Wright. The young man shows undisputed mechanical genius. The model was constructed for his own amusement and was built in the premises of the parental home, on West Second-st. The lower picture is that of 'Buster' Wright, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Lorin Wright. The picture shows the child, who is a great favorite with all who know the family, with a pet chick." (3)

 

The Dayton Herald, June 24, 1909, reported, "The exact miniature reproduction of the Wright brother's aeroplane, which was constructed by Milton Wright, son of Lorin Wright, and nephew of the famous aviators, was purchased Wednesday night by the International Aeroplane club of this city. The price paid for the machine, which was made of material from the machine wrecked at Ft. Myer, was $40..." (3).  In lieu of the model being made of material from the machine wrecked at Ft. Myer, the model was likely constructed from scrap wood and fabric as reported in a Dayton Herald article later in this post.  

Bishop Milton Wright, wrote to his grand-niece Grace Frazier July 22, 1909 (partial), "Miss Grace Frazier, Dear Niece: It is some time since you were here. [Grace Frazier had visited to attend the Dayton Wright Brother's Home Celebration the prior month] I may say now that Lorin's have come in to stay with me while Katharine goes a week to Washington. Milton sold his model of the Aeroplane for forty dollars, and has built another better one, which he, this afternoon, expressed to a house in Anderson, to remain a week, at $25.00. Horace has nine chickens near half grown with his black hen, and has a pullet older, and a nice half grown rooster. He is very attentative [sic] to them. Netta was to have gone with the children to Richmond last Friday to stay over night......but she got sick and canceled the engagement. She is resting at our house, is well......." (2)

Bishop Milton Wright wrote in his diary July 23, 1909, "...Milton shipped his model aeroplane to Anderson- $25.00 a week." Then on September 8, 1909, he wrote "....Orville is reported to have flew alone 24 ms in 36 minutes, to-day, and 17 min. with Hildebrand, 200,000 reported. Ivonette & Horace staid here and to breakfast. Lorin and Milton are working on models of flying machine...." (1)

And on September 24, Bishop Milton Wright wrote, "I slept well last night. I get no letters before noon. I spend the morning, mostly reading. Milton's models came back from Eaton & Rock Island." The next day, Milton would write that the Hudson-Fulton Exposition opened in New York, and on the 29th, that Wilbur had flown twice; "once from Governor's Island round the Statue of Liberty & back." (1)

On October 1, Bishop Milton Wright wrote, "...Milton shipped a model to St. Louis...".  The next day Milton would write that Orville had flown 1637 feet high at Potsdam, Germany, and "took up the crown prince of Germany 60 ft. high, gets a present of a diamond and Ruby ring, Composing the letter 'W' and a crown." On October 4, he wrote "Wilbur flew from Governor's Island beyond Grant's Tomb & back safely. He ha[d] a canoe attached..." (1)

The Dayton Herald, October 5, 1909, wrote, "Young Milton Wright's model of his famous uncle's aeroplane is attracting considerable attention in the Rike-Kumler Co. window, Fourth and Main sts.  The model is the property of the Aeroplane club." (5)

 

Milton Wright in 1936, holding Wright Flyer model he made in 1908 (6).

 

Bishop Milton Wright in November 7, 1910 letter to Grand-niece Grace Frazier, wrote, "Milton teaches at Van Buren Township High School at $65 a month, 8 and a half months. He is teaching Chemistry with a great zeal, learning probably more than his scholars about it. He has a class in Civil Government and two classes in History. He rides on Street cars two miles and walks two miles to reach there. But largely rides instead of walking. He is eighteen years old to-morrow. So he has not been a lawful teacher the past six weeks! Herbert four months younger than he, is of lawful age to teach in his school five miles south of where Reuchlin lives! He teaches eight months at $50 a month........Ivonette is only two inches lower than her aunt Katharine, and is a witty nice girl. Leontine is growing fast now, a model little woman. Horace is the favorite of all the folks....Halloween evening a company of about a dozen came in with false faces. Leontine is the only one I knew. Children turn all things to fun...." (2)

Bishop Milton Wright, writing to Grand-niece Grace Frazier, May 24, 1911, wrote, "Milton is nearly through his year's school. Ivonette is about closing her first year in High School. Leontine and Horace are as sweet as they can be. Milton is in much better health than last year. He is nearly as tall as his uncle Wilbur, and good looking..." (2)

 

Frank Hamburger "holding the model of the world's first military airplane." (6)

From the Dayton Herald, October 9, 1936, "Constructed by Milton Wright, a nephew of Orville and Wilbur Wright, in the workshop of the two Dayton inventors and with material such as was used in their large machines, a replica of an early Wright airplane is prized possession of Roosevelt high school. Built to scale of one inch to one foot of the original plane, the replica, constructed back in 1908 is fashioned after the plane flown by Orville Wright at Ft. Myer, Virginia, in a demonstration before government officials. It was September 3, 1908 that Orville made a flight of one hour and two minutes in a plane build along the lines of the model at Roosevelt school. On September 5 he flew it for four minutes, on September 9 for 57 minutes and on September 17 while in the air at a height of 125 feet the plane fell, killing Lieutenant Selfridge and inflicting injuries to Mr. Wright from which he has never fully recovered.....It was while the Ft. Myers plane was being constructed that Milton Wright, then a student in Steele high school, was allowed to use the scraps of spruce and muslin for the construction of miniature planes, a hobby in which he had become fascinated. Thus the replica, carefully constructed, contains the same materials as the real plane, though in recent years for purposes of preservation the model has been painted. The model measures 40 inches in wing stretch, which would make the real plane on the basis of the one inch scale 40 feet. Aviation was something quite new in those days and enthusiasm ran high. So much so that West Side residents interested in the Wright boys and their invention organized what they called the International Aero club. It began existence on May 12, 1909 and continued for some six or seven years....During this time the club purchased the model, now at Roosevelt, for $40, proudly exhibiting it during the life-time of the club and then relegating it to the keeping of Frank Hamburger, West Side hardware merchant, who had been treasurer of the club. The late Oscar Needham was president, A. E. Estabrook was secretary and Frank Thompson was first vice president. The late William Andrews and Phil Kerstner were second and third vice presidents respectively. Young Milton Wright, son of Lorin Wright, a brother of Orville and Wilbur, found the business of constructing model airplanes good and made a number similar to the one now at Roosevelt, which he sold throughout the country. Used for window displays, they attracted much attention, being something the like of which had not been generally known theretofore....

Hamburger retained the model purchased by the club for a considerable term of years. In the course of moving it about, the model naturally was damaged some, but a year or more ago when it was presented to Roosevelt, members of the manual training class of Arthur Pitsinger overhauled it. There is even a small motor attached so that the propellers may be operated to give the simulation of flying. The model at Roosevelt was exhibited here during the celebration Dayton staged for the Wright boys when they made their triumphant return from abroad and drew the attention of thousands. At Roosevelt it is prized highly and every effort is being made to ward off damage. The model is the old pusher type plane and in years to come, because of its close associations with the Wright family, should be one of the most valued museum pieces in connection with Dayton's role in development of aviation." (6)

Milton's model, "repaired, hanging from ceiling at Roosevelt high school."(6)

 

Roosevelt High School was closed in 1975, and demolished in 2008. Further research is required to determine if Milton's model still exists. Any information from the Wright descendants, or those with knowledge on the fate of the Flyer would be appreciated. Further, any information on other existing Wright models made by Lorin and by Milton would be of interest. 

Copyright 2025- Getting The Story Wright

Notes-

1. Milton Wright Diaries 1857-1917, Wright State University, Wright Brothers Collection (MS-1)
2. Milton Wright to Grand-niece Grace Frazier letter archive from Author's collection.
3. The Dayton Herald, June 17, 1909 "Aeroplanist's Nephew Builds Model Airship".
4. The Dayton Herald, June 24, 1909, "Wright's Nephew Sells Miniature".
5. The Dayton Herald, October 5, 1909, "Airship Model Very Attractive".
6. The Dayton Herald, October 9, 1936, "Wright Plane Model Built by Nephew of Famous Brothers Still Preserved", "Materials Used by Inventors Utilized to Construct Small Ship".
   

Orville Wright's grand-nephew Milton Wright Jr.

Additional, March 18, 2025

Within the extended Wright family, the name Milton Wright appears a number of times through the generations. Orville and Wilbur's father Bishop Milton Wright enjoyed his grandchildren and often wrote about their visits in his diary entries, and his family letters. His grandson Milton was born in 1892, and so enjoyed a relationship with his Grandfather for 25 years (the Bishop died in 1917). In 1920, Milton Jr. was born, and this Milton is the subject of this post.

Milton and Susan Wright's children- Reuchlin, Lorin, Wilbur, Otis, Ida, Orville, Katharine.

     Lorin and Ivonette (Netta) Wright's children- Milton, Ivonette, Leontine, Horace.

          Milton and Ann Wright's children-  Milton Jr.(Trotz), George Wilkinson (Wick)

 

Milton and George Wilkinson Wright, courtesy of Wright State University Core Scholar.

 

 

Milton Jr., born July 3, 1920 (Orville Wright's grand-nephew) was an artist, and his Uncle Orv enjoyed teasing him about modern art. 

 

Milton Wright Jr. self portrait.

 

In the words of Milton Jr., speaking about his Uncle Orv, "But he was very, very fond of the family. He loved to argue with young people, loved to talk to young people. He liked to kid me about modern art all the time, and I've got letters from him with diagrams drawn making fun of modern art which he did.....he thought painting should be of pretty things, not unattractive looking things. He had some reproductions of things, Dutch Masters and whatnot around the house, mostly reproductions. But he liked to make fun of Picasso and Gertrude Stein and so forth. He was very, very traditional. I find many engineers or scientific people don't trust things that they can't sort out mathematically in a way. But he appreciated what I did. He would always go to exhibits, if I was in them. He loved to argue about it, and had a lot of fun.....I've got a drawing of a bird in a tree, some kind of thing that's a takeoff on Gertrude Stein's 'A Bird', or 'A Bird in a Tree', and he would draw the diagram, little drawings on the paper. He loved to make fun of Picasso. He sent a comment on a Henry Moore sculpture once...." (1)

Milton, reading from a letter his Uncle Orv had written to him, "I think Moore must be a real artist. At least he had enough sense to cut the poor woman's head off so she won't be having to blush in looking at herself. I wish some of the other modern artists had as much sense, but that's more than you can hope for." (1)

In an August 1946 letter, Orville wrote to Milton, "Dear Trotz, I am writing to let you know that I now, in my old age, am beginning to get an understanding of literature and art. I think that when I have lost all my teeth, my eyesight and my mind, I will be able to understand it still better...." (2)

Orville liked to tease, but he was actually a supporter of The Dayton Art Institute.

 

 

Milton married Mary Gale Breene Loughbridge on November 16, 1946; the ceremony performed by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York. His brother Wick was the best man. (5)

Orville had two student paintings of Milton's on the wall of his Study at Hawthorn Hill in Oakwood. After Orville's death in January of 1948, Milton gave those paintings to Orville's housekeeper, Carrie Grumbach. Carrie and her husband Charlie had no children, but she had a number of nephews and nieces; after Carrie died, Milton believed those paintings likely went to one of them. (1)

Orville Wright's Study at Hawthorn Hill, kept much as it was when Orville was living. Wouldn't it be nice to return those two paintings of Milton's (Trotz) that once hung here? Photo by Author.

 

Another item in Orville's study was an old dried baby alligator. Milton's Aunt Leontine married John Jameson in 1923, and the ceremony was held at Hawthorn Hill. Milton recalled, "Well, when Leontine and John Jameson got married, they got married at his house, and I was about three years old, and there was an old dried baby alligator Uncle Orv always had in his study. And right at the most crucial moment of the ceremony, I speak up in this three-year-old voice, and say, 'Oh, look at the alligator!', and broke up the whole thing." (1)

Milton shared another account about his Uncle Orv, "There was a little museum in Richmond, Indiana, where he'd grown up, and an elderly lady was the director of the place. I can't remember her name now, but she had been a schoolteacher and kicked Orville out of school. Not only kicked him out of school, escorted him down the steps, I think. Luckily they were moving out of Richmond, so it didn't matter too much then. But there she was all friendly, and she's the one who'd thrown him out of school." (1)

The Dayton Herald, December 8, 1945 issue reported, "Water colors, oils and lithographs by Milton Wright are on view at the Dayton Art Institute. This young artist is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Wright of this city and grand-nephew of Orville Wright. His enthusiasm in the matter of painting has not been stilled by the war. For three years now he has been stationed at Lowery Field, Denver, Colo., where he is in the film strip preparation unit. His evenings and weekly 'day-off' are spent in painting. Two years ago he was honored with a one-man show in Denver Art Museum. Water colors by Wright and oils by Charles Ellis were placed on view simultaneously several months back in Gallery Neuf, New York City. Last June he was represented in an exhibition at the Weyhe Galleries, New York City.

Much of his art training was received at Miami University where he was granted his bachelor of arts degree as was his father before him. His mother is a graduate from Oxford College for Women, Oxford, an institution which has merged since with Miami university. 

Wright is not a one-subject painter. He likes countryside and the Colorado mountains. He likes corner delicatessen and factory scenes. He does an engaging still life. His lithographs are among the best work in the show....."  (3)

 

Examples of Milton's artwork: 

 

"Snow's Landing" (Truro, Massachusetts), oil on canvas, 22" by 28"

 

 

Provincetown dock scene, Cape Cod, oil on canvas, 26" by 20", painted 1951.

Provincetown (Massachusetts), oil on panel, 24" by 30".

Union Square, New York City, oil on canvas, 23" by 17.5", painted 1948.

Harbor scene, painted 1947, oil on canvas, 20" by 24".

Shorescape, dated 1968, pen and ink, 17" by 23".

"Drydock", gouache on paper, 1964, Cape Cod scene.

Seaside Village, oil on artist's board, 1946, 20" by 24.25".

"Corn Hill", oil on canvas, 20" by 24", 1952.

Summer House, North Truro, oil on canvas, 24" by 30", 1957.

 

Beach Scene, 1947, oil on canvas, 30" by 36".

 

The Chapel on the Pond, North Truro, Massachusettes, oil on canvas, 40" by 50".

 

From the Cape Cod Times, October 18, 2012, "...Milton Wright was an aspiring artist who first wended his way to Provincetown in 1938 at the behest of his friend and mentor Marston 'Bud' Hodgin. Hodgin, the dean of fine arts at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio- the institution Wright graduated from in 1942- was also a superb artist who happened to travel to the Cape each summer to paint. Wright visited sporadically after that initial contact, but he ended up buying a cottage at Great Hollow Beach in North Truro some years later. After teaching art for 20 years in the New York City area, Wright eventually retired to North Truro in 1977, maintaining a studio overlooking Cape Cod Bay with Provincetown tangibly close...." (4)

Milton developed pneumonia after undergoing surgery, and passed away at his home in Cape Cod at the age of 84. He died Sunday, February 20, 2005, twenty years ago from the writing of this post. (6)

Copyright 2025- Getting The Story Wright 

On a lighter note, see related post-

 Orville Wright- The Art Critic

 

Notes:

1. Milton Wright interview with Ann Deines, September 26, 2000, Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP Oral History Project.
2. Wright Reminiscences compiled by Ivonette Wright Miller, 1978, published by The Air Force Museum Foundation. August 2, 1946 letter Orville to Milton Wright Jr., pg 167.
3. The Dayton Herald, Saturday, December 8, 1945 "Paintings By Dayton Artist On View at Art Institute", by Merab Eberle. 
4. Cape Cod Times, Oct 18, 2012, by Andre Van Der Wende, 
5. Dayton Daily News, November 17, 1946, "Mr. Wright Weds in East; Miamisburg Couple Marries".
6. Dayton Daily News, February 22, 2005, "Milton Wright Jr. dies at 84", by Benjamin Kline.

Collecting Pilot Licenses Signed by Orville Wright

Updated March 5, 2025

Pilot licenses signed by Orville Wright are readily available, often offered at auction. Thirty-three are listed below to provide a guide of price range for collectors. I've arranged the licenses by year issued, in lieu of by year sold at auction. A number of the licenses listed have been sold multiple times, providing some interesting data on resale value. 

The National Aeronautic Association of U.S.A (NAA) was initially formed in 1905 as the Aero Club of America (ACA). The ACA was reorganized in 1922 as the NAA. The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) was formed in  October of 1905. 

Orville Wright served as governor-at-large to the NAA in 1926 and 1927. Orville signed pilot licenses as "Chairman of Contest Committee" for the years 1924-1930.

 

Federation Aeronautique Internationale, National Aeronautic Association of U.S.A. Inc. Aviator's Certificate. John Clair Cox, Jr., Born 1905, Certificate #7746, signed by Orville Wright, Chairman, and G.W. Lewis, Executive Vice-Chairman. From Author's collection.

 

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) after a White House reception, April 21, 1921. Orville Wright is third from the left, and George W. Lewis is sixth from the left. Orville was a member from 1920 through 1948. Formed in 1915, then in 1958 NACA became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Image courtesy of Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

 

Of the Orville Wright signed licenses listed in this post, six sold for less than $1000, but five of these sale dates were between 2006 and 2010. The later exception from 2018 sold below market value. Fifteen sold between $1000 and $2000. Nine sold between $2000 and $3000. Five sold between $3000 and $4500. (Including re-sale of some of the licenses).

Factors that could effect value would include condition of license, popularity and accomplishments of the pilot, and clarity of Orville Wright's signature. The list of licenses provided here do not necessarily reflect lower to higher values based on these characteristics, as the items were sold in various auctions over many years, and so a side by side comparison was not available.

 Abbreviations for Pilot License table below:

1. Heritage Auctions- HA
2. University Archives- UA 
3. RR Auction- RR
4. Swann Auction Galleries- SA
5. Potter & Potter Auctions Inc- PP 
6. One of a Kind Collectibles- OKC
   
7. Early American History Auctions- EAH
8. Grant Zahaiko Auctions- GZ 
9. Iconic Auctions- IA
10. Leonard Auction- LA 
11. Alexander Historical Auctions- AHA
12. National Aeronautic Association of U.S.A.- NAA
13. United States of America Annual Sporting License- SL 
14. Fe'de'ration Ae'ronautique Internationale. Certificate- FAI

1924 William O. Ralph, No. of Brevet 798, Hydro-aero, License #35. Sold by RR, Aug 14,                                   2024...................................................................................................................................$3033

1925 Franklin G. Cowie, FAI, #6297, License #317. Sold by EAH, March 20, 2021............... $1600

 

1925 Etienne Dormoy, FAI #2237, License #5. Sold by GZ, March 6, 2024.............................$1500 

 

1926 May 27, Kenneth W. Montee, NAA #6413. Sold by HA, June 8, 2010.............................$836

1926 May 27, Kenneth W. Montee, NAA #6413. Re-sold by RR, Sept 22, 2011......................$1279

1926 James T. Young, FAI #6332, License #26. Sold by RR, Feb 9, 2011...............................$1548

1926 Sept 1, Ray Wm. McClenaghan,  FAI, NAA #6522. Sold by RR, March 9, 2011.............$1142

 

1926 Aug 6, Emanuel Hahn, Cert #1045, License # 386. Sold by LA, Oct 21, 2018.................$750

• Two licenses sold indicating one of the licenses has a printed OW signature. Both appear to be original signatures, not printed. License to the right authenticated by PSA/DNA.

1927 Wilmer L. Stultz, SL #620, FAI #6802.   Sold by HA, Sept 25, 2024................................$4750

• Included 1928 license SL #228, and other items. Stultz flew with Amelia Earhart across Atlantic.

1927 Warren Hallowell, SL #257, FAI #6637. Sold by HA, Apr 11, 2012... ..............................$1015 

 

1927 Joseph William Esch., SL #215, FAI #6631. Sold by RR, Aug 14, 2013...........................$1348

1927 Edward G. Knapp, SL #479, FAI #4656, PSA/DNA encased. Re-sold by GWS Auctions,                      Nov 3, 2018...........................................................................................................................$2100

• Encased in plastic by PSA/DNA. Not necessary in my opinion, but to each his own.

 

1927 Edward G. Knapp, SL #479, FAI #4656. Re-sold by RR, July 13, 2016............................$2231

1927 Edward G. Knapp, SL #479, FAI #4656. Sold by RR, March 12, 2014.............................$1142

1927 Clarence M. Young, SL #286, FAI #6291. Sold by RR, May 11, 2022..............................$3336

• Was issued 2nd US Civil Air license in history. Pres. Herbert Hoover's aviation secretary, architect of the Federal airways system.

1927 January 17, Herman Halcolm Moore, NAA #6634. Sold by PP, July 28, 2018..................$2160

 1927 January 21, Wallace F. Hope, FAI NAA #6636. Sold by EAH, Feb 23, 2019. In poor                                       condition..........................................................................................................................$1200

1928 Miss Marjorie Stinson, FAI #308, SL #356. Sold E-bay, Dec 29, 2024..............................$1151

• Marjorie Stinson was trained at Wright Flying School. License lacks photo.

1928 August 24, Charles Dycer, NAA #6916. Sold by HA, Nov 1, 2024...................................$1625

1928 Edmund W. Hill, FAI #930, SL #25. Sold by OKC, Oct 29, 2014......................................$1563

1928 Ed Nirmaier, SL #5, FAI #801, Hydro-aero. Sold by RR, Aug 15, 2012............................$1842

 

1929 George Wallace Rifley, SL #64, FAI #7007. Sold by UA, June 26, 2024..........................$4500

• Encapsulated by PSA/DNA, graded Mint 9. Unfortunate we have to grade one of a kind historical items, but this is some collector's preference.

 

1929 Chester Brown Loomis, Jr., FAI #7058, License #217. Sold by IA, Aug 5, 2016..............$2338

1929 Feb 4, 1929, John Thomas Rogerson FAI, NAA #7039. Sold by OKC,  June 21, 2012.....$1150

1929 July 17, Irving Gerard Hay, NAA #71--. Sold by HA, Nov 21, 2020...................................$3250

1929 July 17, Irving Gerard Hay, NAA #71--. Sold by HA, March 25, 2008................................$896 

 

 1929 August 20, Kenneth E. Gabbert, FAI, NAA #7240. Sold by AHA, May 25, 2016.........$1400

 

 

1930 January 18, Vernon Henry Ramsey, SL #472. Sold by Bonhams, Oct 17, 2006................$836

1930 June 7, Alexander T. Suchoff, NAA #7545. Sold by UA, Sept 18, 2024.............................$2800

 

1930 June 21, V. Edward Smith, NAA #7568. Sold by RR, June 16, 2010..................................$791

1930 V. Edward Smith, SL #427, FAI #7568. Re-sold by IA, Dec 16, 2012................................$2125

1930 V. Edward Smith, SL #427, FAI #7568. Sold by RR, Sept 15, 2010.................................. $871

1930 October 6, Fred Lorillard, NAA #7809. Sold by HA, June 13, 2014...................................$1140

1930 J. E. Thropp, 3rd, SL #106, FAA #6459. Sold by RR, June 18, 2008..................................$1163

 

 

1930 Miss Jean LaRene, SL #77, FAA #7218. Re-sold by IA, June 29, 2013..............................$2829

1930 Miss Jean LaRene, SL #77, FAA #7218. Sold by RR, Feb 13, 2013...................................$2455

1930 Sept 10, John Clair Cox, Jr., FAI NAA #7746. Author's collection......................................

1930 Sept 23, Paul Dewley, NAA #7799, plus archive of items. Re-sold by SA, Oct 26, 2023......$2400

1930 Sept 23, Paul Dewley, NAA #7799. Sold by SA, Sept 25, 2008..........................................$1680

Orville Wright served as Chairman of the Contest Committee for NAA from 1924 through 1932, inactive the last year. Due to scheduling conflicts, and not lack of interest, Orville wrote Senator Hiram Bingham in 1932,  asking to be removed from the list of members of the contest committee.

1932 July 31 OW to Senator Hiram Bingham, 1pg, typed, Orville Wright letterhead, Orville wrote, ".....some additional delay in answering....is due to my general inability to get writing done. I am sorry that I will not be able to be in Washington for the N.A.A. meetings.....These come at an awkward time of the year for me. I have not been able to attend any of the meetings, nor race meets, since the time of holding them has been changed to August and September. My name has appeared as chairman of the contest committee this year, though I have not been present at a single meeting. My absence from meetings has been due to inability to be present, not from lack of interest. In a talk with you....I explained my attitude with regard to letting my name appear as a member of committee whose meetings I can not personally attend. At that time I agreed to let my name remain on the list of members of the contest committee until the next annual meeting of the Association, with the understanding that it would then be dropped without attracting the attention of certain enemies of yours and the Association's as might be attracted by a resignation. In appointing the next committee please omit my name entirely....." Letter sold by Christie's, December 18, 2003, $2390.

I will continue to add to this list as new sales occur, and older sales come to light.

Copyright 2025- Getting The Story Wright 

Related Posts-

Gleaning the History from Wright Brother Checks- Their styles and values.

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Value of Historical Items Associated with the Wright Brothers

The 1903 Wright Flyer Fabric and Wood Remnants 

Collecting Historical Items Associated with the Wright Brothers

Collecting Letters of Orville Wright- Their Historical Content and Values

Collecting First Flight Photos Signed by Orville Wright

Collecting Letters of Wilbur Wright- Their Historical Content and Values