Jakab), and a new edition of The Bishop's Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright (Norton, 2003). Note: This interview is illustrated with period postcards showing the Wrights and their airplanes.

Younger brother Orville, who "was always very optimistic," as their grand-nephew, Wick Wright, tells THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, finally coaxed Wilbur out of the house and into his printing business.

Who you are is shaped by your circumstance. Wilbur Wright was a brilliant young man from a well-to-do family, and the circumstances of his life compelled him to magnificent accomplishments. The elder ...