http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:36:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-779323 atc333 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:52:53 +0000 #comment-779323 the amazing thing when one compares the Wright plane with the Whitehead plane is the aerodynamic correctness of the earlier plane. From all reports, the Wright plane was extremely hard to control, but, because of the supposed ability to control flight in all three planes, it is considered to be the first in flight. Some claim the Whitehead plane was more of a glider, yet it obviously could be taken off, direction changed, and safely landed, so it would seem the First in Flight belongs to the Whitehead plane with the Wright Brothers plane gaining praise for the ability to more completely control, though ailerons, rudder, and elevator the total direction of the plane. That control does not change the fact that it is obvious from witnesses and articles that Whitehead was in reality, "First in Flight". the amazing thing when one compares the Wright plane with the Whitehead plane is the aerodynamic correctness of the earlier plane. From all reports, the Wright plane was extremely hard to control, but, because of the supposed ability to control flight in all three planes, it is considered to be the first in flight. Some claim the Whitehead plane was more of a glider, yet it obviously could be taken off, direction changed, and safely landed, so it would seem the First in Flight belongs to the Whitehead plane with the Wright Brothers plane gaining praise for the ability to more completely control, though ailerons, rudder, and elevator the total direction of the plane. That control does not change the fact that it is obvious from witnesses and articles that Whitehead was in reality, "First in Flight".

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-748745 Rick L Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:46:22 +0000 #comment-748745 Google is your friend, keep searching. There is/was a building at Captains Cove Marina, Bridgeport, CT with a recreation of his plane, some photos and artifacts. There are people there that occasionally open the building and will defend to the end, that Whitehead was first in flight - they are VERY convincing. I believe there may still be relatives of his still living in the area..... you might call the Captains Cove Marina office and inquire how to reach them. There has been some transitions/ownership changes that last 5 yrs - not sure who is still there. A reference to an old exhibit: http://brucemuseum.org/site/exhibitions_detail/gustave_whitehead_first_in_flight/ Google is your friend, keep searching. There is/was a building at Captains Cove Marina, Bridgeport, CT with a recreation of his plane, some photos and artifacts. There are people there that occasionally open the building and will defend to the end, that Whitehead was first in flight – they are VERY convincing. I believe there may still be relatives of his still living in the area….. you might call the Captains Cove Marina office and inquire how to reach them. There has been some transitions/ownership changes that last 5 yrs – not sure who is still there. A reference to an old exhibit:
http://brucemuseum.org/site/exhibitions_detail/gustave_whitehead_first_in_flight/

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-748693 Sue A. Lehman Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:19:42 +0000 #comment-748693 I enjoyed your article about Whitehead's life and flights. I have written a historical mystery using the Whitehead controversy as part of the backstory. I would love to get in contact with any of Gustave Whitehead's relatives to learn more. I hope to publish my novel soon (I've already had two published) and want it to be as accurate as possible. Thank you for any information you can provide me. I enjoyed your article about Whitehead's life and flights. I have written a historical mystery using the Whitehead controversy as part of the backstory. I would love to get in contact with any of Gustave Whitehead's relatives to learn more. I hope to publish my novel soon (I've already had two published) and want it to be as accurate as possible. Thank you for any information you can provide me.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-737960 Rick L Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:19:07 +0000 #comment-737960 Bridgeport CT claims Whitehead to be first in flight. Many referring sites available: http://www.captainscoveseaport.com/attractions.htm I wasn't there - in this life. Bridgeport CT claims Whitehead to be first in flight. Many referring sites available: http://www.captainscoveseaport.com/attractions.htm
I wasn't there – in this life.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-625551 RV8tor Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:20:49 +0000 #comment-625551 Unfortunately this article contains at least one major historical inaccuracy. It claims the Wright's 1903 flyer required a catapult. That is in fact not true and they did not use a catapult for their first flight. Did did use catapults later. Unfortunately this article contains at least one major historical inaccuracy. It claims the Wright's 1903 flyer required a catapult. That is in fact not true and they did not use a catapult for their first flight. Did did use catapults later.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-439419 Wendy Kusterer-Willis Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:06:42 +0000 #comment-439419 Hi Don, I am the great grandaughter of Gustave.My grandmother was Nellie Whitehead -Kusterer daughter of Gustave. I often wondered what happen to Gustave's other brothers, and wondered if i had more family out there.I have 2 Pictures of Uncle Charlie(gustave's son) and Some of my grandmother Nellie. I Helped take care of Lily (gustave's youngest daughter) in her last days.I dont have pics of her though If your wife would like to see them please email me @ wendykinfla@yahoo.com. Hi Don, I am the great grandaughter of Gustave.My grandmother was Nellie Whitehead -Kusterer daughter of Gustave. I often wondered what happen to Gustave's other brothers, and wondered if i had more family out there.I have 2 Pictures of Uncle Charlie(gustave's son) and Some of my grandmother Nellie. I Helped take care of Lily (gustave's youngest daughter) in her last days.I dont have pics of her though If your wife would like to see them please email me @ wendykinfla@yahoo.com.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-302456 rick barnes Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:01:19 +0000 #comment-302456 I recently visited Fairfield and made a point looking for Whitehead's house on Pine Street in Bridgeport.There is a large commercial building there now,about 30 years old I suspect ,at the same street address.Cliff Robertson,the Oscar winning actor from Palm Beach County and a champion soaring pilot ,is a strong believer in Mr. Whitehead.Whitehead's story would make a great hollywood movie! I recently visited Fairfield and made a point looking for Whitehead's house on Pine Street in Bridgeport.There is a large commercial building there now,about 30 years old I suspect ,at the same street address.Cliff Robertson,the Oscar winning actor from Palm Beach County and a champion soaring pilot ,is a strong believer in Mr. Whitehead.Whitehead's story would make a great hollywood movie!

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-219945 First in Flight? - Damned Connecticut Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:18:06 +0000 #comment-219945 [...] For more about Whitehead, Wikipedia has a nice overview. To read more about the controversy between him and Wrights, this is a good place to start. [...] [...] For more about Whitehead, Wikipedia has a nice overview. To read more about the controversy between him and Wrights, this is a good place to start. [...]

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-188267 Don Chaplin Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:55:54 +0000 #comment-188267 My wife is a grandaughter of John Whitehead and great neice to Gustave,growing up she often heard her grandfather and grandmother talk of the time and money spent on Gustaves efforts. Her grandfather died in 1952 in Kamloops B.C.Canada,her grandmother talked of the times the Wright Bros. came to talk to Gustave about his ideas. The family has not been involved in trying to get Gustave's first flight on Aug 14,1901 recognized as it should be,we all would like to thank Bill O'Dwyer for the hours and hours he has devoted to this as well as all the other people involved. The family has nothing to gain should this ever be resolved as it should be other than knowing Gustave gets his just deserve, We have to wonder what the Smithsonian is afraid of in holding open hearings on this matter if they feel that proof isn't there. My wife is a grandaughter of John Whitehead and great neice to Gustave,growing up she often heard her grandfather and grandmother talk of the time and money spent on Gustaves efforts.
Her grandfather died in 1952 in Kamloops B.C.Canada,her grandmother talked of the times the Wright Bros. came to talk to Gustave about his ideas.
The family has not been involved in trying to get Gustave's first flight on Aug 14,1901 recognized as it should be,we all would like to thank Bill O'Dwyer for the hours and hours he has devoted to this as well as all the other people involved. The family has nothing to gain should this ever be resolved as it should be other than knowing Gustave gets his just deserve, We have to wonder what the Smithsonian is afraid of in holding open hearings on this matter if they feel that proof isn't there.

]]> http://www.historynet.com/gustave-whitehead-and-the-first-flight-controversy.htm#comment-185483 Arnie Madsen Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:29:20 +0000 #comment-185483 Thank you for this excellent article. I learned some history today that I had never been aware of. Arnie Bell 47 G2 Thank you for this excellent article. I learned some history today that I had never been aware of.
Arnie
Bell 47 G2

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