Their Attempts To Sell The Wright Flyer
In 1905 the Wrights decided that their craft was safe enough to fly. They contacted governments as well as company's and individuals in England, France, Germany and Russia. They were turned down time and time again (people thought they were idiots) but they persisted. Finally, their efforts payed off; the US Signal Corps asked for one in late 1907 and a few months later, a French syndicate of businessmen agreed to purchase another. Wilbur left for France and Orville left for Virginia. In the test flights Wilbur passed but Orville failed, killing his passenger Lt. Thomas Selfridge and injuring himself. The brothers built another plane and this time passed the tests. They set up a business and the Wright Model B Flyer became the first mass produced plane ever.