Mike Flugennock wrote:

Wasn't one of the Wrights' first thoughts, after privately building and
flying their proof-of-concept vehicle, of what the Gummint might be able
to use it for, and how much they'd pay?


They tried to sew up every patent they could on heavier-than-air flight;
we can thank those patents for forcing Glen Curtiss to use ailerons
rather than wing warping on his aircraft (the Wrights fought that in
court also) which made planes a lot easier to build, especially when
metal construction came along. You can read up on the Wright/Curtiss
legal battle he
http://www.curtisswright.com/history/1909-1917.asp
The Wrights were in it for a buck.

Pat