By: Camden Baucke MS LLP
You’ve probably heard the story. Wilbur and Orville Wright invented the first working aircraft in Dayton, Ohio and flew it down in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
However, their story isn’t as simple as it seems.
In Dearborn, Michigan is a museum area called Westfield village. Miraculously, the museum is a village with homes shipped from all across the country. One of those homes belonged to Milton & Susan Wright, parents of the Wright brothers.
Several years ago, I visited the Wright house in Westfield village. When we entered the house, we were accompanied by an incredible guide. They orated not just the history of Wilbur and Orville, but of their whole family.
They introduced us to Milton Wright, the father of the Wright brothers. He was an elected bishop, but he encouraged his sons to make their own choice regarding what they believed. In the Wright home was a bookcase filled with books that didn’t align with their religious doctrine. Milton encouraged Wilbur and Orville to expand their knowledge of the world and discuss ideas that may have been controversial at the time.
Milton, the father of the Wilbur & Orville, fostered their critical thinking. He cultivated their innovative minds that would result in the creation of the first functional aircraft. If Milton never fostered an open and nonjudgmental attitude towards thinking, the Wright brothers might have never innovated.
Innovative thinking is only half the battle. When the brothers were inspired, they needed a way to turn a thought into reality.
That’s where their mother comes in.
Susan Wright was pivotal in teaching her sons mechanical skills. Susan grew up on an Indiana farm with a father who worked a carriage shop. Watching him, Susan learned how to build and work with tools. In her own home, she built appliances, toys, and shared her skills with her family.
Susan, the mother of Wilbur & Orville Wright, was their consultant while they built their ideas. She taught her sons the skills that her father taught her. Her sons would then run their own bike shop, where they would test ideas for aircraft. If Susan never learned or taught her mechanical skills, the Wright brothers might have never flown across Kitty Hawk.
Additionally, Katharine Wright was the supportive sister of Wilbur & Orville. Katharine assisted her brothers with logistics and communications so they could successfully test their models.
As you can see, the Wright brothers were born into a family that would undoubtedly shape their efforts to create the first aircraft. Their innovation that would change the world started at home. However, while their family was were pivotal in their success, do they deserve the credit for Wilbur & Orville’s success?
A Lesson on Confidence
No matter how much Wilbur & Orville were supported by their family, they were the ones holding on for dear life down in Kitty Hawk.
This isn’t to say that they weren’t appreciative of their family. They likely knew the influence their parents and sister had. They used that support as a foundation for their own courage.
The wright brothers are the inventors of the airplane. Saying so does not make them selfish or ungrateful, they are the ones who literally built it.
The lesson we can take away is how to have confidence, even if you were helped. Assistance is not a sign of failure, but lifting you up higher so you can achieve more. People who truly support you often so because they care. They usually don’t take credit for your work.
If you have support in your life, your successes are still yours.
A Lesson in Humility
Wilbur & Orville invented a machine that would change the world forever, but not by themselves.
Their parents, Susan and Milton, were pivotal in teaching them how to think and how to build. With any other set of parents, the Wright brothers might have never flown, or have even thought to.
Without the support of their sister Katharine, who knows what would have happened differently.
The lesson you can take is how to be humble, even if you’re changing the world. The world was influenced by the invention of the Wright brothers. Sons and grandsons of people who built the foundation for their success.
Humility is where you give credit to your support.
Find the Balance
Humility & confidence live hand in hand. You can believe in yourself, but also give credit to those who believe in you.
When we left the Wright house, I left with a completely different view of history.
It was no longer about two great men, it was about the Wright family. A home that served as the foundation for innovation.
In your history, it’s worth appreciating both yourself and others. Thanking yourself for using the tools others have kindly given.
Who Built the aircraft? Wilbur & Orville.
Who built Wilbur & Orville? Susan & Milton .
All of them changed the world.
Reflections 
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