Re: American Attitudes

[Marvin Long, Jr.]

On Wed, 23 May 2001, Alberto Monteiro wrote:

> > 
> The first public flight by a self-propelled, heavier-
> than-air vehicle was by Alberto Santos-Dumont, in
> Paris. 
> 

<raised eyebrow>

As far as I know, Santos-Dumont's plane flew in 1906 for several hundred
feet, er, meters.

Maybe it's just American capitalist propaganda, but I'm under the distinct
impression that the Wright Bros. first flew in 1903, and were attempting
to market in 1905 an improved airplane capable of flying for miles--sorry,
kilometers.

Any reason I shouldn't believe that?


Marvin Long
Austin, Texas