The large dune at Kitty Hawk
Image credit: Library of Congress

The measure of things in Kitty Hawk

The Wrights' interest in Kitty Hawk evolved with the sophistication of their experiments. The records of their first visit in 1900 very much leave the impression of a working vacation. By 1901, Kitty Hawk itself was measured and recorded with the same attention to detail as the flights themselves. Key to the Wrights' analysis of their flights was the angle at which the glider descended the dunes and the slope of the dunes themselves. The dunes' heights were recorded, particularly after storms. Wind speeds and directions were monitored on a daily, even hourly basis for suitable flying conditions. The Wrights clearly understood the scientific value of accurately recording their testing conditions.