I saw the whole thing more in the context of historical reverse-engineering experiments, in line with those [Discovery channel?] programs in which academic/student volunteer teams build small pyramids, raise small-ish obelisks, etc. using the technology and methods of the ancients. Really interesting and eye-opening endeavors.
I guess that just goes to show that somebody with really good taste was running the ceremony. 
Though it could have used an inanimate carbon rod.
Oh, man, I need a new irony meter after reading the OP.
Think about it. The Wright Brothers were bicycle mechanics . Their business was making and selling bicycles . But, in their free time they tinkered with airfoils, propellers, piston engines. Things that were useless to their business.
And, to top it off, they spent their time and money to take trips to remote and far away places just so they could fly kites! Imagine the waste! Imagine what they could have done if they had made better use of their free time!
Americans with free time invented the fucking airplane!
Personally, I’ve made a career in aviation. I’ve visited places like Dayton, Edwards AFB, the NASM, Oshkosh. But I’ve never visited Kitty Hawk.
After reading the OP, I think I need to move it up on the list of places to visit with my
copious free time.
What I’m wondering is why they let Kid Rock make albums. Obviously, nobody likes him. So maybe we ought to save the resources that go into making and promoting his music and put it to a more constructive use.
(Is this relevant? Figure out the source for the OP’s screen name.)
The hundredth anniversary flight matters to a lot of people. Perhaps not to you, St Anger. But don’t ypou think that people have the right to do what suits them. not you?
(JFTR, the brother of the pilot attends my church. He certainly thinks it’s a big deal.)
Well, I care. In fact, I sent an e-mail to all of my flying friends at 12:01 AM on the 17th reminding them of where their careers started.
But that was probably just a pointless waste of my free time.
**This thread reminds me of a thread about a year ago when Lance Armstrong won his 4th Tour de France and some fool started a thread asking “Who the fuck cares about some idiot who can ride a bike? Give me NFL. That’s a real sport…”
The author of that thread never returned either… **
Well, here I am. What Lance Armstrong accomplished is incredible. How what that guy said about Lance Armstrong and what I said about the Wright Brothers recreation relate does not make sense to me.
**Kind of like this rant. Tell us something, do you celebrate your birthday, or do you consider that a waste of time as well? Lets not forget the September 11th memorials, wow that just sucks up otherwise productive time.
Humans like to remember milestones, especially big ones. That is why people celebrate their birthdays every year, and it is why we remember things like 9/11. I’m sure that you do realize that this was the 100th anniversary of the first flight. The fact that flight was one of the driving forces of change in the 20th century and is more than worthy of being remembered.**
There’s nothing wrong with remembering the Wright Brothers incredible accomplishment. But re-building their plane? 35,000 people sitting there waiting to see if it flies 15 feet? I don’t get it.
I also don’t understand why it was the lead story in the news all day, either.
Now, all the dumb articles and shows about starlets and their current love affairs or what shoes they buy or whatever, THAT’s a waste of time.
I agree with that.
You are offensive. Actually, your little screed at the top of this thread might possibly be the most disgusting thing I have ever read. How can you be a member of this board and even think that the first powered, controlled flight is not worth even a thought? Are you out of your mind?
Wow. If the OP was the most offensive thing you have seen on this Board, you sure haven;t been around long! 
Please tell me where I said that the first ever flight was “not worth even a thought.”
**Based on his handle, my guess is that the OP is a fan of shitty Metallica music, and as such is in no position to declare what is a waste of time.
I would go so far as to insist that his listening to said album is a bigger waste of time than any rememberance of a historical event. I would go even further to add that ANYTHING Mr. Anger (IF THAT’S YOUR REAL NAME) does with his life will be a bigger waste of time than a historical recreation.**
Wow . . now THAT is some wild deduction!!!
Well, if it wasn’t the lead news story would you have even known about it?
And how would you remember something that’s special to you? Just because you don’t give a rat’s ass about aviation doesn’t mean that there aren’t people that DO. Is there ANYTHING in your life that you are passionate enough about that you’d be willing to donate thousands of hours of your time to?
In short: "I don’t get it."
Exactly.
For all of those who don’t give a rat’s ass about the Wright Brother’s accomplishments…have yourself one nice little roadtrip. In your car, that is.
They couldn’t even re-create it because the wind was too light - doesn’t that make you marvel and think about that one moment when it lifted into the sky?
No? Well, then, back to what you were doing beforehand – I hear Thomas Edison was a complete idiot, you might want go Google for the details.
The point is, both accomplishments mean a great deal to some people, and other people regard them as a complete waste of time.
I mean, once one guy wins the Tour de France why bother to run the race again, right?
I don’t get why people play golf, of all things, but I respect the fact that some folks are extremely passionate about it. Indeed, I know several people who spend more on their golf game in a year than I do flying airplanes. Just because as far as I’m concerned the only “proper” use of a golf course is as an emergency landing field doesn’t mean I diss those folks who want to spoil a good walk attempting to whack tiny little balls with funny-shaped, skinny little sticks across a landscape while risking sunburn and lightning strikes. It’s their money, their time, their business. It doesn’t put me out one bit that they spend their time doing this. I don’t tell them they should stop “wasting” their time, or spend their money on something “useful”. Nevermind they spend hours broadcasting this game on the weekend, I’ll just watch a video or go do something else “useless”, like maybe fly or do my needlepoint.
Where was it the lead story? Up here in the Chicago area is was barely noted on the TV. There was a page 3 story in the local paper. That’s it.
Although some of his claims undercut his credibility (that thing couldn’t make 70MPH without exploding into rags and sticks) Whitehead/Weisskopf’s design could have flown.
As for Lance Armstrong’s feats, I can only imagine how much more comfortable a bike seat would be with one fewer ball to get in the way. Maybe it would even be an unfair advantage.