This bothers me to no end. It is everywhere! The photograph below is of Ernest Zens and Wilbur Wright. Ernest Zens is not Orville Wright. This photo is misidentified constantly as of Orville and Wilbur. Stop it!
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Ernest Zens and Wilbur Wright, September 16, 1908, Le Mans France. |
Wilbur and Orville flew together just once, and Orville was the pilot. This occurred at Huffman Prairie, May 25, 1910. No photograph was taken of the brothers prior to take-off, sitting side by side in the aeroplane on that day. Orville also took his father, Milton Wright, up for his first and only flight on this day. Milton wrote in his diary entry for that day, "It is a nice day......We all went to Sim[m]s Station. Orville rose 1600 feet and 2600 feet in flights. Orville & Wilbur took a first flight together. Orville took me up 350 feet and 6.55 minutes."
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For just $3.99 (plus $4.50 shipping), you can buy this refrigerator magnet of Ernest Zens and Wilbur Wright, The Wright Brothers! |
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www.abc.net.au image of Ernest Zens and Wilbur Wright, wrongly identified as Orville and Wilbur, 1910; just one of many websites misidentifying this photograph while "educating" the public. |
Of all websites that one would think would not make this error, the next example is from the National Aviation Hall of Shame, oops, I mean Hall of Fame:
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The National Aviation Hall of Fame website, asking for donations so they can spread the news that Ernest Zens is actually Wilbur's brother Orville. I'm pulling my hair out now....... |
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Aviation Services website an.aero provides the top 5 facts about the Wright Brothers who apparently are Ernest Zens and Wilbur Wright. I guess Ernest was adopted? |
Copyright 2025-Getting the Story Wright
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