The Wright Brothers' First Flight — Passage
Firsthand Account: Orville Wright's Journal Entry
December 17, 1903: Today, we achieved what many thought impossible. The wind was cold and strong at Kill Devil Hills, but we were determined. At 10:35 a.m., I lay on the lower wing of our machine, started the engine, and felt the Flyer move forward. The bumpy takeoff lasted only 12 seconds, but in that moment, I knew we had changed the world. We made three more flights that day, with Wilbur's last one covering 852 feet in 59 seconds. Despite the freezing temperatures, I've never felt warmer with excitement.
Secondhand Account: Scientific American Article, January 1904
On December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers successfully conducted the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft. Their Wright Flyer, a wood and fabric biplane, made four flights that day. The longest lasted 59 seconds and covered a distance of 852 feet. This breakthrough came after years of research and experimentation by the brothers. Their achievement laid the foundation for modern aviation and marked the beginning of a new era in transportation technology.
How does the focus of the firsthand account differ from the secondhand account?
The firsthand account emphasizes personal experiences and emotions, while the secondhand account provides a more technical overview.The firsthand account discusses the aircraft's design, while the secondhand account focuses on the flight's duration.The firsthand account describes the public reaction, while the secondhand account focuses on the weather conditions.The firsthand account provides historical context, while the secondhand account describes the brothers' feelings.What information is unique to the secondhand account?
The date of the flightThe location of the flightThe description of the aircraft as a wood and fabric biplaneThe duration of the longest flightWhich aspect of the event is emphasized more in the firsthand account?
The technical specifications of the aircraftThe immediate sensory experiences and personal significanceThe historical importance of the achievementThe details of all four flightsHow does the secondhand account provide a different perspective on the event?
It includes information about the brothers' background and researchIt focuses on the emotional impact of the flightIt provides details about the weather conditionsIt describes the sensation of being in the aircraftCommon core standards covered
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